#dcamm

Ellie W.

Day 1 at DCAMM, we started off by meeting our DCAMM representatives, Brenna, Dyana, and Liz who gave us a presentation on what DCAMM does. It was very informative! It was interesting to understand just how big the scope of DCAMM’s projects were and to learn about how DCAMM manages projects that involve multiple departments or secretariats in state government as well as private design and construction firms.

We also took a tour of the Massachusetts State House (which is one of DCAMM’s projects) and learned about the challenges of maintaining such a historic building.

It was so special to experience this externship alongside two wonderful peers from the BAC. Going through the program together, along with having Brenna as our supervisor, made the experience feel all the more meaningful and grounded. We felt so immersed in the world of DCAMM, from day-to-day office culture to high-level meetings and site tours, and it was amazing having people to debrief and share my thoughts with at the end of each day.

Over the past week, I've had the opportunity to dive into the world of public sector work and at the same time, build friendships with my peers from the BAC. Being a transfer student, returning to college after a gap year, this externship has given me all the more appreciation for the BAC network for such a seamless transition back into my studies.

Over the past few days at DCAMM we've been hearing bits and pieces of a wide range of ongoing state projects. To focus on one, the Holyoke Veterans Home, which is set for completion in summer 2028, will be a long-term care facility with a copious number of amenities for our veterans.

This is a collaborative project with Commodore Builders and Walsh Brothers. The future users of this project are left in great hands as Commodore is a veteran owned construction management firm, and Walsh Brothers has significant experience with clinical institutions. It's really exciting to see contractors use their connections within the community to build bonds and instill a relationship with the users during this phase in the project.

The future of this space includes the capacity to house and care for 234 veterans to enjoy amenities such as dinging and social spaces, as well as outdoor pavilions with therapeutic elements. Emphasizing connection and comfort, there are efforts to encourage outdoor usage of gardens and greenhouses that can become grounds for rehabilitation for many of the occupants.

Chelsea Veterans Home Utilizing Elevated Solar Panels

DCAMMS employees are constantly busy, working on multiple projects with various departments or agencies. Even without outwardly prioritizing engagement, every DCAMM employee that we spoke with explains that they are never bored and always have something interesting to work on. This is largely because the wide range of projects they work on keeps everybody in the office excited and involved. Further, DCAMM's commitment is clear: to “care for the people of our state and the future of our planet”, which is why their client is truly the state of Massachusetts. One way they are committing to this mission is by setting specific energy goals, which will be pioneered on DCAMM projects and eventually incorporated into bylaws and regulations. Through a meeting with someone on the Decarbonization Council, we were educated on embodied carbon and the significant emissions it produces compared to operational carbon. DCAMM is heavily involved in making suggestions and company changes that will help shape the future of greener building strategies. With the knowledge around energy always changing, DCAMM is forced to evolve with it and be up to date, making it an adaptable and forward-looking firm. 

Today, we sat in on a High Visibility Project Meeting with the commissioner of DCAMM. Being able to sit on this meeting was an eye-opening experience to say the least. It was incredible to hear about these ongoing projects and how far they've come, especially where they may go in the future. From hospitals to masterplans of campuses, there is so much progress being made on our state buildings.

To sit at this table meant to be included as an outsider. Having information be explained and shown to us as externs made me feel like I have a role, even if it's just as a listener, this opportunity showed me the importance of the work being done here at DCAMM. That is another important factor I think adds to the strength of this team, is that everyone sits at the table, and everyone can speak at the table. Even when speaking on subjects and projects that hold so much value, everyone was able to crack jokes and find time to be friends.