At the heart of UW-Madison lies a dedicated team working diligently behind the scenes to create and maintain spaces to learn, work and live. What’s your job? is a series focused on the work of FP&M employees. As the largest and most diverse nonacademic unit on campus, it can be challenging to learn everything our division is responsible for. These stories shine a light on FP&Mers and what they do to keep campus safe, sustainable and successful.
Pride in progress
Pamela Barrett, Director of Architecture and Engineering of UW-Madison’s Physical Plant has a multifaceted role and her remarkable 14-year journey at the UW has included everything from designing frog-safe alarm systems to helping design some of the university’s most important spaces.
Behind the title
Pam’s role at FP&M is nothing short of pivotal. She and her team are responsible for orchestrating “small project” renovations of campus buildings, each with a budget maximum of $300,000, to be constructed by the university’s in-house maintenance and operations organization.
This goes far beyond mere blueprints; it encompasses space planning with the Space Management Office, code compliance reviews and a range of related services. Moreover, Pam is entrusted with the Physical Plant Plan Room, a treasure trove of essential documents such as drawings, specifications, and manuals for all the university’s buildings.
A week in her shoes
Pam’s workweek is a whirlwind of strategic management and hands-on guidance. She spends the majority of her time prioritizing projects, tackling high-priority tasks and counseling her team on intricate building and fire code issues. Pam’s days are punctuated by meetings and the meticulous creation of reports to keep stakeholders informed about the department’s workload. The team juggles an impressive slate of projects.
“At any given time, we are managing 175 to 250 requests for renovations on campus, depending on the time of year,” she said.
These projects range from minor repairs to the creation of large labs and classrooms.
The joy of collaboration
For Pam, the true essence of her job lies in her interactions with her dedicated team. Many of them have been working together since she started at FP&M in 2006. Their shared commitment to enhancing the physical environment is palpable. Even though their projects may be smaller in scale, they always aim to consider the broader context. Pam cherishes the discussions about how their work impacts not just buildings and campuses but also teaching and learning methodologies.
Challenges as building blocks
According to Pam, in the world of construction, three factors reign supreme: time, scope and money. Her team grapples with the delicate balance of these elements daily.
“When one of these three changes, the other two must also, to accommodate the first,” she said.
The challenge arises when mid-project alterations arise, and a decision must be made regarding timelines or budgets. Managing the scope during the design phase becomes their key strategy in minimizing disruptions during construction.
Pam is especially proud of a few standout projects and accomplishments. As a designer, she was part of the team that crafted the innovative Wisconsin Collaboratory for Enhanced Learning collaborative spaces in the Wendt and Memorial Libraries. These spaces were groundbreaking at the time of their creation.
She’s also confident in her team’s ability to design research labs, due to their vast experience and the diverse array of labs they’ve designed. Additionally, they’ve embarked on digitizing the Plan Room’s contents, making them electronically accessible, a work-in-progress nearing 80% completion.
The essence of FP&M
For Pam, FP&M’s appeal lies in two aspects — its vibrant people and the incredible diversity of work. From designing labs with unconventional fire alarm needs to creating rooms in every imaginable hue, every day brings new challenges and opportunities. It’s this dynamic blend that keeps Pam and her team engaged, ensuring that their jobs are never mundane.
“My group has designed so many kinds of spaces from labs where frogs live that can’t have fire alarms that make noise, to an outdoor museum exhibit.” Pam said. “I’ve assisted my designers in designing a pool for robots to swim in and a shark tank.
The people and the variety of the work ensure that the job is never boring.”