Construction isn’t always about straight and square.
Thanks to an industry donation, Construction Management Technology (CMT) students are working with specialized materials designed to bend and curve.
Flex-Ability Concepts donated multiple pieces of flexible metal framing and arch components often used in commercial construction.
With the donated materials, students practice creating curved walls, soffits, ceilings and other architectural features that are increasingly common in modern building design. These hands-on experiences help students understand how construction methods must evolve to meet architectural requirements. It also sheds light on how choosing the right materials and techniques can improve efficiency, safety and project outcomes.
“This donated equipment helps students understand not all buildings are the same,” explains Construction Management Technology department chair Rich Cass. “Architectural features can include curved walls, soffits and bulkheads. Students are learning they must adapt to the requirements of the design, and know that by design, not all elements are straight and square.”
Flex-Ability Concepts is an Oklahoma based company instrumental in developing flexible framing products for the construction industry. This is the second time the company donated equipment for students to use in the CMT program.
“Creating curves historically comes with a bit of trepidation in the construction industry,” says Robert Widmer, director of sales and marketing at Flex-Ability Concepts. “Fox Valley Technical College does an exceptional job combining classroom and hands-on work to ease that hesitancy. We are delighted to support their mission and the success of future construction crews.”
