Cory Powers

Cory Powers, CPD, is an associate vice president at HGA Architects and Engineers office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. HGA is a top-10 national health care design firm with additional practices in energy and infrastructure, corporate, arts and higher education. Cory has a B.S in Architectural Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He is a licensed master plumber and certified in plumbing design (CPD). He has been a member of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) since 2008, previously serving as president of the ASPE Wisconsin chapter. Powers is currently an engineering project manager working on complex projects across the country. He can be reached at cpowers@hga.com

Young Professionals + Integrated Design

Plumbing and Mechanical Coordination

Great engineers can coordinate systems with other disciplines on the team.

May 4, 2020

Cory Powers and David Grassl

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The difference between good engineers and great ones is their ability to coordinate systems with the other disciplines on the team.

Young Professionals + Integrated Design

Don’t Forget Feb. 29 When Pull Planning

Lean building construction is not a fad and is going to be a common practice on your projects.

February 3, 2020

Cory Powers

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Science tells us that time is relative. I’m not going to do a deep dive into why this is true, but do yourself a favor and check out some YouTube videos on this topic.

Young Professionals + Integrated Design

Was that text an RFI?

Contracts are important. However, day-to-day communication on a project might be more critical to a project’s success.

November 4, 2019

Cory Powers

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In 2019, it is more likely that the last communication with your best friend was through a screen rather than face to face. This is not an article on millennials; rather, I want you to consider how you’re communicating on your projects today versus five or 10 years ago.

Young Professionals + Integrated Design

Dad! I Have to Go to the Bathroom

In an ideal world, family bathrooms would be more prevalent, but usually there isn’t enough space for them.

August 6, 2019

Cory Powers

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It’s an expression parents have heard millions of times: “Dad! I have to go to the bathroom.” A sudden flash of panic hits your face. Your brain immediately goes into overdrive to begin your assessment of the situation.

Young Professionals + Integrated Design

Let Me Narrate it For You

Your TI-89 calculator doesn’t have the answer to this. It’s about people and experience.

May 6, 2019

Cory Powers

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The importance of clear, comprehensive schematic design narrative — from the contractor’s point of view.

Feature

VA Work To Be Proud Of

Massive flooding and damage to this Hines, Ill., VA hospital required a redesigned — and relocated — boiler plant.

January 31, 2019

Cory Powers

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In 2009, my company, HGA, contracted with the VA to do a study of the existing power plant at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, Ill., and to make a recommendation on how to move forward.

Young Professionals + Integrated Design

Can You Innovate?

Your TI-89 calculator doesn’t have the answer to this. It’s about people and experience.

December 3, 2018

Cory Powers

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The most famous innovative time in our history is the industrial revolution. The mid- to late-1700s was the start of innovation becoming the norm in business and competition. Many world industries were astounded by the idea of a machine completing tasks once done by hand.

Young Professionals+ Integrated Design

Value Engineering: Back to Budget

Sometimes the project budget doesn’t mesh with reality a few years down the road.

July 30, 2018

Cory Powers

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Conceptual estimating is more of an art than a science. It’s impossible to predict everything that might occur on a project but make sure to communicate your design vision with the entire team to avoid as much value engineering as you can.