Working inside a live airport ranks high among complex challenges in construction. At Denver International Airport, our team is delivering critical HVAC and plumbing upgrades while more than 50 million travelers pass through the terminal each year. The experience reinforces lessons I have seen across many projects: success in tough environments comes down to planning, communication, safety, and adaptability.

Construction Work in Highly Active, Secure Facilities

On projects like this, physical work is only half the job. The other half is logistics. At an active terminal, deliveries are measured to the inch. Oversized materials move only at night, crews shuttle in from remote lots, and every subcontractor completes a lengthy badging and security process before they set foot inside. Minimizing impacts to the traveling public while keeping the job on schedule requires detailed coordination long before we pick up any tools.

Executing Every Lift with Precision

Whether it’s moving large HVAC equipment through tight and uneven spaces or flying rooftop equipment, it means every lift must be closely coordinated. Cranes, staging zones, traffic lane closures, scaffolding, rigging platforms, and swing paths are mapped out in advance, with safety and collaboration at the front. By sharing equipment specifications and weight data early, we ensure structural engineering analysis, necessary steel upgrades, and clash detection well before the lift. This proactive approach minimizes surprises and allows us to execute efficiently in an environment where there is no margin for error.

Adapting When Reality Defies the Model

Even with advanced scanning and BIM, existing conditions often surprise us. Ductwork rerouted decades ago, equipment tucked into spaces too tight to scan, or existing dampers that differ from original construction documents are routine discoveries. The key is to respond quickly without losing momentum. Our teams investigate, communicate issues clearly, propose solutions and adjust installations on the fly. Often that means reworking existing systems or equipment and coordinating unforeseen shutdowns, essentially solving problems in real time with the owner, GC, and design team.

The Bigger Picture

At Denver International Airport, the outcome is more than upgraded systems. It is a building prepared for future demands while keeping safe and minimizing disruption to the people who rely on it daily. For me, the lesson is clear: projects that succeed in complex environments are the ones where teams anticipate constraints and risk, communicate openly, and stay flexible when conditions change.

These principles apply beyond airports. They are just as critical in hospitals, data centers, schools, and other environments where building operations cannot stop. By embracing this mindset, our industry can deliver lasting value while keeping critical services operational.