New Plumbing Lab Bridges the Gap Between Design and Reality

Photos by Sharon Brown

A new hands-on plumbing lab is helping sophomore students at Wentworth Institute of Technology bridge the gap between complex blueprints and physical construction. By moving from the page to the workbench, students are experiencing the moment when technical drawings transform into tangible systems.

Launched in January through the Sweeney Construction Management program, the lab serves students enrolled in the Building Systems course. Developed in close coordination with industry leaders TG Gallagher and Central Ceilings Inc., the facility allows students to move beyond traditional lectures and blueprints into physical assembly.

Moving Beyond the Drawing Board

The lab features prefabricated modules designed in partnership with industry experts, enabling students to dry-fit plumbing systems for both bathroom and laundry spaces. By working with real materials and authentic layouts, students must confront the practicalities of:

• Sequencing: Understanding the order of operations in a complex build
• Coordination: Managing how different systems interact within a confined space
• Constructability: Identifying potential field issues that aren't always visible on a 2D plan

Industry-Powered Education

The initiative was made possible through the leadership of Mike Betts of TG Gallagher and Chris McPherson of Central Ceilings Inc. Their investment of time and resources has created a space where students can see exactly how a designer's intent meets the reality of a construction site.

"Partnerships like these are what set Wentworth apart," wrote Associate Professor Sharon Brown on LinkedIn. "They ensure students graduate with practical knowledge, a real-world perspective, and confidence that carries directly into the field."

Student engagement in these first sessions has been high, with students collaborating to solve problems and gaining a clearer understanding of how plumbing systems are built in the field-a critical skill for any future construction manager.