FA Half Century of Transition:
What's Changed in Construction?  What Hasn't?

DThe second half of the 20th Century brought many changes to the construction industry, yet some things haven't changed since ancient times. To gain some perspective on the past 50 years and glimpse into the future, we sought the reflections of a few local industry professionals.

Southeastern Wisconsin has a long tradition of family-owned architectural firms and construction businesses, but that tradition has begun to give way to new realities, says architect George Schuett. Three years ago, after 40 years of private practice, Schuett merged his firm, Architects III, with Plunkett Raysich Architects.

George Schuett

More Mergers Ahead?

"I enjoy the work," Schuett said. "It's a marvelous profession." But architecture is a capital-intensive enterprise and, for various reasons, family-owned businesses don't enjoy the longevity they once did. "I think we'll see more mergers in the years ahead," he said.

In similar fashion, Dick Snow, retired head of the Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee, observed that for a construction company to survive 50 years is significant, especially for a family-owned business. Nowadays, many companies last only 15 or 20 years, he said. "Not only is succession a greater challenge; good management is critical," said Snow.

Dick Snow

Bill Dentinger is a mason who knows about man-aging through good times and bad. In spite of a tough economy at the time, he took a flyer from his job with Superior Masonry to establish Bill Dentinger Inc., with his wife Shirley. Another family effort, they have endured, celebrating their company's 25th anniversary last year. Dentinger said the bricklaying trade has changed very little throughout its long history, but that the last 50 years have brought some significant developments.

Scaffolding Innovations Bring A Radical Change

Dentinger cited the arrival of self-rising scaffolding as a radical change for construction in general, and for masons in particular. Tubular scaffolding was developed in Milwaukee in the 1930s, replacing wooden structures that had to be custom built for each job.

Standardized tubular sections went together quickly and could be easily stored and reused. Self-rising scaffolding followed in the 1960s, mechanized first by gears and later by hydraulics.

Equipment Boosts Productivity

Another major advance was the mobility brought about by the rough terrain forklift, pioneered in the 1950s by none other than Del Beyer (see accompanying story "Del Beyer Remembers"). The ability to easily move and lift brick and block, buckets of mortar and other materials on rough and muddy work sites was a boon for productivity and efficiency.

The subsequent arrival of the backhoe and skid steer loader further enhanced mobility and reduced labor intensity. A single backhoe oper-ator could quickly dig a trench that formerly required several laborers and a full day's work. The skid steer, or "Bobcat," added job site versatility, loading and moving dirt and gravel as easily as construction materials.

Structural Steel Carries More of the Load

But from Dentinger's perspective, the biggest change in construction has been the move away from thick, load-bearing masonry walls. "Today it's much more common to use structural steel and poured-in-place or pre-cast concrete to bear the load," he said. While masonry is still used for exterior walls, firewalls, elevator shafts, mechanical shafts and stairwells, steel and drywall are lighter in weight and allow easier reconfiguration of interior walls.

Bill Dentinger

George Schuett noted that increased concrete versatility has had a significant impact on project scheduling. Whereas construction jobs used to shut down temporarily in the winter, "Contractors today pour concrete all year long," Schuett said.

Partnering Gains Popularity

Plunkett Raysich principal James Plunkett noted that architects traditionally have led the building process, accepting most of the responsibility for keeping the construction in compliance with the design. 

"A good part of our work now is more in partnership with the contractor as manager," Plunkett said. Contractors have become involved more in the early stages of projects, providing cost estimates and other services up front. "As a result, there's less finger pointing and more attention to problem solving if something goes wrong," said Plunkett. 

James Plunkett

In spite of all the changes in the past half-century, Dick Snow regrets that the industry continues to have low profit margins. The local industry remains very competitive. "Construction Management fees here are among the lowest in the nation," Snow said.

That may be good news for the client. But as building projects have become more complex over the past half-century, astute clients have begun to recognize the value of Construction Management and other new services offered by progressive architects and builders. And they're willing to pay for them.