Tag: construction



Ryan Moss, BSBA ’01, BSCE ’01, is serving as project director for McCarthy Building Companies, overseeing the major transformation of the east end of the Danforth Campus.

While his friends played with Tonka trucks in the sandbox, Ryan Moss visited real building sites and rock quarries across the St. Louis region. Moss’ father, Ed Moss, worked in construction and, at a young age, Moss knew he wanted to work in the same industry.

“In some ways, I’m still a kid — I like the big trucks and the high lifts,” says Moss, who grew up in nearby Hillsboro, Mo. “But what I really find satisfying about construction is that you can see progress every single day.”

Today, Moss works for McCarthy Building Companies, and he is project director for the East End Transformation of the Danforth Campus, the largest construction project in the history of Washington University.

The $250-million transformation features three new academic buildings, an expansion of the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, a welcome center, a multi-use building with dining and offices, an underground parking garage and an expansive new park. The project broke ground in May 2017 and is scheduled to be in completed in two years. “We are working at lightning speed,” Moss says.

Moss, a 2001 graduate of Washington University who earned bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and business administration, is wowed by the project’s scope and vision. Back when he was a student, the East End was basically an asphalt lot.

“I never went there. No one did unless you were an architecture or art student,” Moss recalls. “To be back on campus and be a part of something that will change the student experience for generations to come is really cool.”

McCarthy is the project’s general contractor, and in his role, Moss communicates constantly with university leaders. He also oversees McCarthy’s on-site staff and some 650 workers employed by 60 subcontractors. That means he must be an expert in a wide range of disciplines, including geo technological engineering, architecture, plumbing and LEED standards, to name just a few.

“We have a favorite saying around here: ‘We must feed the machine,’” says Moss, who works out of an office near the site. “We can’t let anything slow us down. If a problem arises and — knock on wood — that hasn’t happened yet, we must be prepared to respond quickly.”

Ryan Moss, BSBA ’01, BSCE ’01, is serving as the project manager for McCarthy on the East End transformation. Photos by Joe Angeles/Washington University

As a civil engineer, Moss admires the design of the new parking garage, a 790-space structure that will be both functional and beautiful. But as an alum, he is eager to build the Sumers Welcome Center.

“It makes so much sense to have a dedicated building that can serve as a first stop for prospective families or alums,” Moss says. “It’s going to be an amazing space that’s all glass, allowing panoramic views of Brookings Hall and Forest Park.

“I can’t wait to come back as an alum or, it’s my hope one day, as the parent of a prospective student,” says Moss, who is a father of three.

Q&A with Ryan Moss

What is the biggest change you’ve observed in the construction industry?

Definitely the focus on sustainability. There wasn’t much of a LEED movement when I was a student. But that has changed. Clients care about natural resources and energy efficiency. That’s especially true here. WashU has the highest standards of any client I’ve ever had.

What are your goals for the industry?

Construction is a male-dominated industry. As the father of two girls, I would like to change that. I’m part of a women’s resource group that is committed to making sure the needs of women are addressed and that women are recruited and mentored.

What is your favorite memory of Washington University?

Definitely my time playing basketball. Playing for Coach (Mark) Edwards was an amazing opportunity. I was here when the women’s team won all of those NCAA championships, and it was so much fun to watch them dominate. I used to tell people that I tried out for the women’s team and was cut.

By Diane Toroian Keaggy, this story first appeared on WUSTL’s Campus Next website


Bulldozers and excavators moved on to campus the Monday after Commencement, and the East End Transformation officially began. It’s the biggest construction project in the history of WashU and you can track the progress online from three high def cameras positioned at the top of Brookings, Hillman and Green Halls. Each camera automatically creates a time-lapse video from images captured between 10 am and 2 pm each day.

If you are interested in images from a specific day or time, each camera’s calendar feature allows you to select a specific image to view. And by using the sharing icon, you can download and email pictures, as well as share them on Facebook.

Check out the views by visiting campusnext.wustl.edu/webcams.

This transforming project includes eight major components — three new academic buildings, an expansion of the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, two new multi-use facilities, an underground parking garage and the expansive new Ann and Andrew Tisch Park.

  1. Ann and Andrew Tisch Park
  2. Anabeth and John Weil Hall
  3. Henry A. and Elvira H. Jubel Hall
  4. James M. McKelvey, Sr. Hall
  5. Gary M. Sumers Welcome Center
  6. Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum Expansion
  7. Craig and Nancy Schnuck Pavilion
  8. Underground Garage

Follow the  East End Transformation on Twitter @WashUcampusnext


Simon Hall is under siege again this summer as construction crews surround the building from the top of the tower to the basement. Phase II of major renovations is underway with projects that include building six new classrooms, beautifying the tower, and creating a new entrance on the south side of the building.

Tim Rogan, director of facilities and operations, gives us a preview of the changes in the works at Simon in this video.




Tarlton Corporation, a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction management firm with 2014 revenues of $177 million, has won one of the construction industry’s highest honors—the 2015 Alliant Build America Award.

The award recognizes Tarlton’s work on the $90 million LEED® Gold certified Knight Hall and Bauer Halls expansion project for the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. Chosen from a highly competitive field of entries nationwide, Tarlton is the only Missouri construction firm to win one of 21 Alliant Build America Awards this year. In addition, two firms were honored with AGC Build America Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence awards, a separate category.

The Alliant Build America Award is sponsored by Alliant Insurance Services Inc. and the Associated General Contractors of America, the nation’s largest and oldest construction trade association. For 30-plus years, the Build America Award has recognized AGC members that build the nation’s most impressive construction projects ranging across the building, highway and transportation, utility infrastructure and federal and heavy divisions. The awards were presented March 19 at the AGC’s 96th Annual National Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Accepting the award were Frank Freeman, project manager at Washington University; and Tarlton team members Matt Pfund, senior vice president and project director; Cameron Denison and Sondra Rotty, project co-managers; and Eric Nichols, project superintendent.

The Build America Awards program honors the “best of the best” among construction projects nationwide. Build America recipients are selected by a panel of a contractor’s toughest critics – other contractors. Judges look for projects that have “excelled in state-of-the-art advancement; excellence in project management; innovation in construction or use of materials; contribution to the community; superiority in client service; rising to the challenge of a difficult job; and sensitive treatment of the environment and surroundings.”

“Recognition by one’s peers is one of the highest honors a general contractor can receive,” said Tracy Hart, president, Tarlton Corp. “We are proud of the Tarlton team on the Olin Business School expansion project, which was one of the most collaborative projects we’ve ever worked on. The award represents the embodiment of the many stakeholders who share a passion for construction, core principles and values that helped to guide the complex, multi-faceted construction process,” she added.

Tarlton received an award in 2014 from the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers – read more in this blog post.

Bauer Hall exterior 2

Bauer Hall

The 177,000-square-foot expansion project is the largest single project completed on the Washington University Danforth campus in the shortest span of time, nearly doubling Olin Business School’s footprint on the campus. The construction process and fast-track schedule was a project management triumph for the design-construction team. Tarlton recently garnered a 2014 Best Practices Award for materials management and front-end planning on this project by the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers. The annual awards recognize successful use of Construction Industry Best Practices validated by the Construction Industry Institute (CII) to improve project quality, budget and schedule.

The Olin Business School expansion project champions craftsmanship in its innovative design. Knight and Bauer Halls, topping five stories each, are united by a dramatic five-story glass atrium that provides abundant natural light to an expansive amphitheater-style forum below. The inviting space unites the ensemble of buildings housing seven classrooms, study rooms, a 300-seat auditorium, 75 faculty offices, lounges, office, and other spaces to foster interaction. “We wanted these buildings to make a statement, to inspire everyone who is going to walk through these corridors, not just today, but for years to come,” said Olin Business School Dean Mahendra Gupta. “The world-class facilities give everybody a confidence that the university is committed to create a world-class program.”

Knight Hall

Knight Hall

Stakeholders on the Olin Business School expansion project include Moore Ruble Yudell, architect of record; Mackey Mitchell Architects, associate architect; BuroHappold Engineering; William Tao & Associates Inc.; KPFF Consulting Engineers; Cole; MPC Enterprises Inc.; Ben Hur Construction Co.; John J. Smith Masonry Co.; TJ Wies Contracting Inc.; Sachs Electric Co.; and Rock Hill Mechanical Corp.

The prestigious honor marks Tarlton’s fourth Build America Award. The firm also won awards in 2008 for the historic renovation of a former Maplewood church into new headquarters for Moosylvania, an independent advertising and promotions agency, and in 2007 for the critical first phase of the Cross County Metrolink Expansion. In 2003, Tarlton received a Merit Award for its work on the Ameren Missouri Coal Transfer Terminal.

In business since 1946, Tarlton Corp. is a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise that completes projects up to $150 million for wide-ranging clients in the life science, health care, institutional, commercial, power and industrial markets, as well as hydro excavation and industrial vacuum services. In addition, Tarlton is a recognized regional leader in concrete construction, restoration and maintenance, with several projects honored for excellence in concrete work. The award-winning firm is recognized for sustainable construction and business operations, with12 LEED projects completed.

-Source: Tarlton News Release


If you think campus is a quiet and peaceful haven for faculty and graduate students during the summer, think again! From Skinker to Big Bend, the Danforth Campus is buzzing with construction activity.

As soon as Commencement ceremonies concluded, our friends from Tarlton began the first phase of renovations in Simon Hall. This will be a three-phase project taking place over summer breaks to limit disruption during the academic year. The eastern half of Simon Hall is currently undergoing major demolition and re-configuration. As you can see in the video, May Auditorium, Flag Hallway, and the Kopolow Library are going to be transformed. The new BSBA offices, student lounge, and Einstein’s will be more open and spacious when everyone returns in the fall.

Sounds of drilling and hammering can also be heard inside Knight Hall and Bauer Hall, where the Bellwether classroom is being completed and the new café and much-anticipated Starbucks Café are being built.

To our west, crews are preparing the site for the new Sumers Recreation Center located on the south side of Francis Gymnasium, which will also undergo a major interior rejuvenation. Brown School’s new building is rising out of the ground to the east and you see several projects in between. Summer is construction season on campus!

I am looking forward to welcoming everyone back to campus in August and showing you our beautiful, renewed spaces for studying and collaborating with your peers and professors. In the meantime, enjoy your summer internships, research, and travels.