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BUSINESS NEWS THORNTON TOMASETTI LAUNCHES TTWIIN Thornton Tomasetti , the international engineering firm, announced the launch of TTWiiN , a privately held company that develops and commercializes new technologies. The new company is the first of its kind in the AEC industry. TTWiiN – a play on “Thornton Tomasetti Weidlinger Innovation accelerator” – was a key strategic initiative sparked by the merger of Thornton Tomasetti and Weidlinger Associates in 2015. Key points: ❚ ❚ TTWiiN will initially feature a collection of six products in various stages of development that come from legacy projects at Weidlinger Applied Science, Thornton Tomasetti CORE studio, and other R&D efforts across the firm. ❚ ❚ Each year, TTWiiN will select products from the firm’s CORE R&D program, its technology incubator. To be considered for migration over to TTWiiN, they need to be products and tools that will benefit from development outside of Thornton Tomasetti and have special investment or organizational needs. ❚ ❚ The new company is overseen by a board of managers, elected by shareholders. Additionally, an AEC technology advisory

Piedmont Park and the Midtown business district, residents will also enjoy convenient access to Whole Foods Market’s planned pub, microbrewery, and cooking school, in addition to a variety of restaurants. “The Related Group is well known for its commitment to creating places that inspire and bring meaningful momentum to the neighborhoods where they are located,” said Al Petrangeli, president of Balfour Beatty Construction’s Georgia Division. “Midtown is Atlanta’s most walkable neighborhood and home to an impressive mix of businesses, retail and green space. We’re honored to be the construction partner on this high-profile project that marks the Related Group’s first entry into the Atlanta market.” To maximize efficiency and manage costs, the Balfour Beatty team is leveraging lean construction methods and the latest technologies to deliver the project. To help accelerate the project timeline, the building’s window wall system will be manufactured off-site. The team is using BIM technology to maximize efficient coordination with trade partners and to mitigate potential challenges well before installing mechanical systems or the building’s skin. Designed by architecture firm Smallwood, Reynolds, Steward, Stewart , the project is scheduled for completion in first quarter 2018.

firm will assist with the initial start-up phase. “TTWiiN gives us a platform to drive innovation in our industry and beyond,” said Thomas Scarangello, Thornton Tomasetti’s chairman and CEO. “We are taking technologies that are developed in our CORE R&D incubator and tested in real-world scenarios, then providing the necessary support and leadership to accelerate them to the next level.” THE RELATED GROUP SELECTS BALFOUR BEATTY CONSTRUCTION TO BUILD HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL TOWER IN ATLANTA The Related Group has selected Balfour Beatty Construction to build its new mixed-use residential tower in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. Located at West Peachtree and 14th Street, the 39-story tower will be the tallest residential tower project built in Atlanta since 2009. Consistently ranked by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as a top five commercial contractor, Balfour Beatty Construction is well established in the market with deep experience serving the commercial office, K-12, higher-education, hospitality, and multi-family markets. The Related Group’s Midtown Atlanta project will feature 390 luxury apartments with 6,500 square feet of retail space. The property will feature a pool terrace with clubroom amenities and a fire pit terrace on the 39th floor. Ideally situated in the gateway to Atlanta’s Arts District,

from the thing you’re building. Make sure your client can articulate why and how the community and its people will benefit. Take this charter to elected officials and staff. Listen to their concerns and act collaboratively to make accommoda- tions in response. Help the city agencies and officials to see that your intentions are good. The objective is to inspire them to “own” the project because it will make the community a better place. Remember that every elected official has a first priority – to get elected on the next ballot challenge they face. It’s important for them to be able brag about what they’ve done to improve their community. Together with city officials, take the project to the community so they can see that there is a common agenda between the project developer and the city. Listen to their concerns, and adapt appropriately until you have a common agenda among all constituents for your undertaking. Never accept that it is impossible to achieve civility. Keep at it until you do. You may find that bringing back civility can change the world – or at least the world in which you operate. Civility begins with each of us. ED FRIEDRICHS, FAIA, FIIDA, is a consultant with Zweig Group and the former CEO and president of Gensler. Contact him at efriedrichs@ zweiggroup.com. “Civility is hard work, but I think you’ll find your efforts will be contagious and begin to build antibodies against dysfunctional and unproductive behavior.”

ED FRIEDRICHS, from page 9

I believe it’s possible for us as design and engineering professionals to effect change in our relationship with the teams with which we’re working. I believe we can disagree with respect. I believe it’s possible to seek common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences. I believe we can listen past our preconceptions and teach others to do the same. I’d like to inspire you to try a new approach, one in which you take leadership in creating a trusting and collaborative atmosphere. Civility is hard work, but I think you’ll find your efforts will be contagious and begin to build antibodies against dysfunctional and unproductive behavior.

“I’d like to inspire you to try a new approach, one in which you take leadership in creating a trusting and collaborative atmosphere.”

1) Start with trust (see my recent blog on the topic at edfried- richs.com/2016/03/). If you can build trust and respect among all members of the team charged with building the project, there’s a good chance civility can be restored. Trust and respect are foundational elements for dealings with ar- chitects, engineers, and contractors, as well as clients, city agency staff, and elected and appointed officials. 2) Work with your clients, along with everyone else involved with the project, to identify the “greater good” that will result

THE ZWEIG LETTER July 11, 2016, ISSUE 1159

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