Professional Profile: Robin Barry-King
Lab Design News spoke to Robin Barry-King, senior project manager at Callahan Construction Managers, about conquering supply chain complications, his work as a cabinetmaker, and the iconic architect behind his favorite building.
Q: How did you get started in your career? Did you major in your field in college, get an internship, switch careers mid-stream, etc.?
A: I began my career in a different place than many other A/E/C professionals by pursuing a degree in product design during my undergraduate years. I’ve always worked in and around the built environment, so it was no accident that I was already aligned in school with where my “future self” would end up. I began exploring graphic design and branding work while working as a cabinetmaker, performing fine- and finish-carpentry. After that, I spent several years in environmental services before switching to commercial construction about 10 years ago. I’ve been with Callahan Construction for the last five years.
Q: What is a typical day at work like for you?
A: Fortunately, there is no such thing as a typical day in construction! That’s really the most attractive aspect of my role at Callahan as there’s so much variety in our day-to-day project management tasks. I make a point of spending most every day out in the field with the crews on the jobsite, as that’s the absolute best way to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s happening on a daily basis while also being able to interface and problem-solve with the team at a moment’s notice.
Q: What is the biggest work-related challenge you’ve faced? How did you overcome it?
A: As it was for many other industries, the supply chain complications that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic were extremely disruptive. There were significant delays affecting the delivery of major and custom equipment along with long-lead items. It proved particularly disruptive to the life sciences industry, and specifically with HVAC equipment—which typically already has long lead times. We did, however, work around these obstacles by maintaining clear communication with the client, vendor, and subcontractors to ensure we were taking ownership of the process and developing workarounds to ensure project delivery occurred as close to the original schedule as possible.
Q: What is your favorite building, lab-related or not?
A: That’s an easy one: Villa Savoye in Poissy, France. It was designed by Le Courbusier and is a terrific example of early modernist design. As the founding father of modernism and the international style, it will always be my favorite building.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am working on a project with Trammel Crow in Lexington, MA, called 440 Bedford Street. It is a state-of-the-art life sciences building, and the project scope includes core/shell construction along with ground-up construction for the base building. When complete, it will offer 310,000 RSF and an incredible environment for its tenants.