Constructability in New Builds and Renovations: How PES Engineers Keep Projects Buildable

Author: Travis Paul, PE, SE, Principal

Constructability is a core focus in PES’s structural engineering approach. It refers to how structural systems and details are realistically built in the field—not just how they perform on paper. For PES, constructability means accounting for job site conditions, material constraints, sequencing, and coordination with other trades from the earliest stages of design. 

At PES, constructability is addressed early and continuously. By actively involving contractors, conducting structural reviews, and learning from every project, PES strives to ensure its designs aren’t just theoretical—they’re buildable.

Constructability Defined in Structural Engineering

Constructability in structural engineering means evaluating how structural details will be executed in the field—not just whether they meet code. For PES, this includes confirming that assemblies are buildable, connections are clear, and installation doesn’t require unnecessary complexity. As stated by the team, “we can draw something that looks right on paper, but if it can’t be built the way we’ve shown it, then it doesn’t work.” This attention to buildability informs PES’s standard drawings, design reviews, and approach to site involvement.

PES’s structural engineers bring job site experience to the design process, reducing guesswork and ambiguity for contractors. This mindset strengthens both structural performance and construction collaboration.

Why Renovation Projects Require Closer Coordination

While constructability matters on every job, it becomes especially critical on renovation projects. Unlike new builds, where materials and conditions are known, renovation work introduces unknown factors such as deteriorated materials, undocumented construction, or unexpected framing conditions. Teams often can’t uncover these challenges until demolition begins. That’s why PES emphasizes flexible, high-touch involvement on renovation projects, whether local or remote.

On the Capital City Club renovation, PES was contracted for 10 site visits but ended up making more than 30. These frequent visits, many times simply dropping by the site for 30 minutes on the way to and from work, allowed the team to respond quickly to issues discovered during demolition and provide clear direction without delaying progress. When you’re working with materials that are often 50 or 100 years old, you have to be able to react to what you find.

For remote renovations, such as Second Line Studios, PES uses video calls to review conditions in real time—ensuring the same level of responsiveness even from a distance.

Solving Problems Early Through Contractor Collaboration

Early and ongoing communication best supports constructability between the design and construction teams. PES prioritizes this collaboration through regular site presence and clear explanation of design intent.

When the contractor understands the rationale behind why we’re doing something, they’re more likely to build it the right way—and when PES understands why the contractor needs to adjust something, we can often find a path forward. This open line of communication is at the core of PES’s construction collaboration philosophy: work together early to solve problems before they become schedule risks.

For example, during a major renovation of the Fulton County Central Library that consisted of installing large floor openings and retrofitting lateral bracing members adjacent to the existing exterior precast concrete walls. The team noticed that the structural steel being erected adjacent to the precast panels could only be welded from one side.  Temporarily removing the panels for access was a non-starter; if the panels were damaged, it would be impossible to replace a weathered precast panel that would look identical to the existing façade.  PES worked closely with the contractor and erector to arrive at a creative solution allowing for the connections to be installed from the interior side only.  This solution kept the project moving forward without a scheduled disruption, ensuring alignment across disciplines.

Recurring Constructability Challenges

Some common challenges PES frequently addresses include:

• Hold-down placement at wall ends in podium construction
• Corridor ledger framing that complicates drywall installation
• Structural transitions between framing types or building sections

Each of these constructability issues can create confusion or delay if not clearly resolved in the drawings. Some constructability challenges are common across building types, particularly in wood-framed and podium construction, where PES engineers are trained to recognize these conditions early in design and adjust detailing to better reflect how buildings are constructed in the field.

New Construction Example: Improving Corridor Framing and Holddown Connections in Multifamily Projects

On new construction projects—especially multifamily buildings with wood framing—PES often addresses recurring concerns around corridor framing. One example is ledger systems, which are used to support floor joists or ceiling framing along corridor walls. In some cases, these systems require contractors to install the drywall earlier than planned or adjust their construction sequence, which can lead to delays or added costs.

After hearing this feedback directly from contractors in the field, PES revised its standard details to offer alternatives. For example, switching to top chord bearing trusses or using specialized framing connectors can help simplify the install and avoid disruption to the drywall schedule.

Another common issue in new wood podium buildings is the placement of hold-down anchors at the ends of structural shear walls. These anchors need to align with concrete podium slabs and other framing elements, in which PES has developed multiple detail variations over time to make this alignment easier and reduce surprises during construction. These updates come directly from field experience and now inform PES’s baseline approach on similar projects.

Improving Design Standards Through Feedback and Peer Review

PES integrates field knowledge into its drawing library through structured internal peer reviews and a dedicated standards committee. Senior engineers routinely review drawings not only for structural accuracy but also for constructability, sharing lessons learned from active projects across the team. As stated by the team, “if I see something in the field that doesn’t work well, I mark it up as soon as I’m back at my desk. We want to fix it before the next project.”

This continuous review process helps PES evolve its standard details with real-world feedback, supporting more constructible and cost-effective designs.

Why Constructability Matters for Owners, Architects, and Contractors

Prioritizing constructability benefits every stakeholder:

• Owners avoid cost overruns and delays
• Architects receive better coordination on details
• Contractors get documents they can build from confidently

By staying responsive to field conditions and addressing constructability at every design phase, PES reduces ambiguity, minimizes costly redesigns, and prevents late-stage building challenges. This proactive approach leads to safer, more efficient construction—and supports tighter schedules and stronger collaboration across all disciplines.

Conclusion

Constructability is embedded in PES’s process—from early design decisions to final field review. Through frequent contractor collaboration, careful renovation oversight, and continuous refinement of internal standards, PES helps ensure that every structural design is not only sound on paper, but fully constructible and delivered with clarity, safety, and efficiency in mind.

Ready to solve constructability issues before they hit the job site? Contact our team or explore our Project Portfolio.