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At Clayco, when we talk about the art and science of building, we mean more than just construction—we mean using the power of people, teams, and ideas to invent better ways to build. Our work on the Kali Hotel at Hollywood Park is a perfect example of what’s possible when we bring together the right people, the right processes, and the right technology from day one.

From the very beginning, we knew the Kali Hotel is a highly complex job with an aggressive schedule, and that’s exactly the kind of challenge we’re built for. By fully integrating our Clayco, LJC, and key trade partners through a true Design-Build workflow, we’ve turned complexity into opportunity.

Our Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) strategy has been the backbone of this effort. We committed to modeling the project at LOD 400—essentially designing at fabrication level right out of the gate. This meant integrating coordination and construction thinking into the design process, so we draw it once and build it smarter. And it’s paying off.

Our mechanical and plumbing partner, Murray, has shifted up to 40% of man-hours offsite into their fabrication shop. That’s not just labor efficiency, it’s 4x less material waste, drastically reduced on-site trash, and improved safety and logistics. Every pipe, every hanger is precut, tagged with a QR code, and tracked from fabrication through final install. Prefab isn’t a buzzword here—it’s a way of working.

Even more exciting is how this model-based approach is extending beyond MEP. Fire protection, food service, structural engineers, and even our framing subcontractor have fully leaned in, modeling every stud, coordinating every trade, and laying it out in the field using robotics. It’s a masterclass in precision and alignment.

Key Stats: 

• 10–40% of mechanical work moved offsite
• 4x less material waste thanks to prefabrication
• QR-coded, machine-cut systems tracked from spool to installation
• Framing modeled to the stud level with robotic field layout
• Fire protection, food service, and SEOR teams all engaged in the model

I'm proud of our team. We adapt in real-time, solve problems collaboratively, and always look for a better way forward. The lessons we’re learning at the Kali Hotel are already becoming best practices for our next generation of projects.

The results speak for themselves—but more importantly, the process is showing us what’s possible when integration isn’t just a concept, it’s a commitment.