Longtime Pinkard employee Russell Hardcastle has been promoted to the new position of Framing Engineer for Pinkard Frameworks.
Pinkard Frameworks, the in-house wood-framing division of Pinkard Construction, created this new role specifically for Russell to take advantage of his unique skillset that enables him to translate his years of field construction experience into a BIM and clash detection-related engineering specialist.
In his new role, Russ manages virtual construction and clash detection on every Frameworks project, scrupulously analyzing constructability details. This includes creating 2D and 3D framing layouts that give Frameworks the ability to confirm architectural and structural intent and then design custom framing packages that are identical to what a wall panel supplier would do. It also gives Pinkard Frameworks the ability to design custom framing packages that can also include wall panelization, with the flexibility to either self-construct wall panels or contract the work to a panel fabricator.
Russ also checks dimensions, compiles quantities for procurement, identify gaps, omissions, duplicates, and clashes, all with the mission of setting up the construction team to have the most efficient construction process possible.
Wood Framing Manager Dan Harris: “A lot of guys can understand framing when they are seeing it right in front of them, but Russ can sit in front of his computer and switch between three dimensions and two dimensions without losing a beat. He can visualize complexities within the structure, put them into context, and display them in a way that design teams and framing crews can understand. Russ’ skillset is truly the Holy Grail of construction.”
This diligence pays off regularly. One recent wood framed project was specified to be hemlock/fir construction, but one drawing page stated a requirement for part of the structure to be Douglas fir. Russ was able to modify his BIM model to properly replace more than 3,000 hemlock/fir studs with all Douglas fir prior to construction.
These critically important preconstruction steps benefit owners with a more efficient construction process that maximizes efficiency while reducing waste and time lost for tear-outs and re-builds. While it is common for a contractor to provide BIM services/clash detection for major mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, BIM services like those provided by Frameworks are relatively rare in the wood-framing world.
With more than 20 years in construction, Russ’ career has featured a strong focus on multi-family wood framing, custom woodworking, and hospitality construction. He joined Pinkard in 2015, where he quickly became a standout employee. As a result of his construction common sense and strong field performance, he was able to skip three years of a four-year journeyman carpenter apprentice program at the Construction Industry Training Council. He completed Associated General Contractors’ superintendent/ project manager apprenticeship program in December 2024.
Russ joined Frameworks in the summer of 2023, rising to the role of Framing Superintendent prior to his current position as Framing Engineer. Russ’ new role greatly enhances Frameworks’ mission to provide industry-best preconstruction services for Pinkard’s wood frame clients.
Pinkard formed its Frameworks division in 2023 to fill a much-needed gap in the wood framing industry. Frameworks’ services focus on best preconstruction practices to eliminate the waste and delays associated with traditional wood framing construction practices. Frameworks’ professional in-depth preconstruction practices allow skilled wood framing crews to work at optimum efficiency from day one to provide our clients with optimum value for the construction budgets.
