This is the first article in a series highlighting the work of Princeton Facilities’ Construction Managers, who function as the bridge between the design team and the field teams that make Princeton’s construction projects come to life. 

Barbara Nemchek, one of several Construction Managers on the Environmental Studies & School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (ES&SEAS) project, has been involved with the project from the initial phase of development to the current state of near-completion. Nemchek loves how her role allows her to turn the abstract into the concrete. “To me, the neatest thing is taking a concept, laying it out on paper, and getting the details right as we build it,"  she said.

Nemchek graduated from Bucknell University in 1983 and has been in the engineering field ever since. She has been with Princeton Facilities for over two years, and prior to joining the University brought her expertise to a range of projects, most notably a renovation to the baggage handling system at Terminal 4 of JFK International Airport. 

Nemchek relishes the dynamism of a typical day on the job, which entails boots on the ground (literally). She describes the focus of her role as “keeping the work moving” - no easy feat given the many variables and stakeholders involved in building Princeton’s campus.

“As a Construction Manager, we’re in the business of solving problems,” she shared. “I always say that if you go from Plan A to Plan C instead of Plan Q or Plan Y, it’s been a pretty good day. My goal is to prioritize what is important, because we want to make sure that we’re always giving the contractors what they need to maintain construction momentum.” 

Much of her work involves building relationships with campus partners and external vendors to ensure that all projects are completed efficiently, with minimal complications. "It’s about connecting people up the chain,” she shared, “from the laborers to the executive management level.”

Currently, Nemchek is delivering Briger Hall through its wrap-up phase. “We’re making sure that the professors moving in have the infrastructure they need to teach effectively and continue to do their research,” she said. 

This has involved moving in equipment from Guyot and Moffett Halls, as well as making sure that the proper mechanical and electrical connections are in place for the equipment to work correctly. This dimension of the work – facilitating the state-of-the-art lab equipment that the Briger, Commons, and SEAS Buildings are home to – has been especially rewarding for Nemchek. 

“Working on something so cutting-edge is exciting. We have been able to brainstorm as a team, working with design engineers and construction managers, how to facilitate everything as smoothly as possible,” she said. Nemchek is looking forward to the Princeton community experiencing the unique features of the new buildings - from the refurbished allosaurus, to the two gorgeous stone plinths at the open staircases, and the rotating globe.