Suffolk Launches Smart Labs to Spur Innovation

Suffolk, a member of multiple AGC chapters, has officially launched its first of several Smart Labs the company will use to identify, test and scale new technologies intended to transform the construction experience and revolutionize the industry. Smart Labs will soon be located in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Tampa and Boston, in addition to the Smart Lab recently launched in New York City.

While other industries have already been transformed by advanced technologies, construction productivity and innovation has lagged behind. This inspired Suffolk to integrate its "build Smart" approach to the construction process, empowering project teams to explore innovative ways of leveraging new tools and technologies to provide value for their clients. As a result, Suffolk has consistently delivered the most complex projects with a level of predictability that is unique to the industry.

Suffolk Smart Labs are a physical manifestation of this build smart approach, and will enable project teams to sit side by side with clients and partners to provide a collaborative project planning, design and construction experience that adds value for all stakeholders involved.

"The momentum from our ‘build smart’ approach is unmistakable as we redefine what it means to be a builder and, more importantly, provide significant value and a positive project experience for clients, architects and trade partners," said Chris Mayer, executive vice president and chief innovation officer at Suffolk. "We believe our Smart Labs are on the front lines of an industry disruption that will change the way buildings are designed and built, and we are excited to reinforce a culture of invention and curiosity – both in our own people and within the industry."

A Data Wall: Provides predictive analytics and operational performance indicators to effectively measure critical areas of its business.
A Huddlewall: Facilitates Lean pull planning meetings, provides closer collaboration and helps integrate 3D, 4D and 5D models, resulting in maximum project efficiency and optimized performance.
A Virtual Reality CAVE: Showcases the future of construction by immersing users in sophisticated virtual models. It allows clients to virtually "step foot inside" their building before it is built and allows architects and project teams to identify and address logistical challenges before construction begins.
Jobsite Feeds: Live streaming and time lapse of existing projects, and side-by-side comparisons of the current construction phase.

Suffolk recently opened its first Smart Lab in New York City and the San Francisco space will be unveiled this month. Additional Smart Labs will open in Miami, Tampa, and at the company’s headquarters in Boston later this year. The Los Angeles location will launch in 2018.

Suffolk’s vision is to "transform the construction experience by building smart." Because we believe if there’s a better way, we’ll find it. We’re always challenging the industry status quo and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. We believe in the power of innovation and people, and we empower our teams to think differently, work collaboratively and executive flawlessly on the most complex and sophisticated projects in the country. Our strong culture of innovation, combined with the most advanced tools such as virtual design and construction (VDC), virtual reality technologies and lean construction principles, is revolutionizing our industry and redefining what it means to be a builder.

Suffolk is a national building contractor with $2.9 billion in annual revenue and offices in Boston, New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. We service clients in every major industry sector, including healthcare, science and technology, education, federal government, gaming, aviation and commercial. Suffolk is privately held and is led by Founder, Chairman and CEO John Fish.

Suffolk is a community-conscious organization dedicated to environmentally friendly and sustainable business practices, and is committed to making a positive impact in its local communities through grassroots volunteer work, employee fundraising and corporate giving. For more information, visit www.suffolk.com and/or follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, YouTube, Instagram and our Build Smart Blog.