ABC 2008 Excellence in Construction Awards judges comments on the winning projects

Category: Commercial/Institutional/Industrial (over $5 million) Eagle Award: Erland Construction: Library Addition/Newton Country Day School Erland's work expertly balanced a number of factors, including historic restoration elements and major fire and life safety systems upgrades. With students and faculty occupying the connecting main building throughout the construction, the Erland team completed the new construction and system upgrades seamlessly, and even managed to ensure that none of the school's ornate plaster and millwork was disturbed -much to the owner's delight. Merit Award: Bowdoin Construction: The Village at Colony Place For this upscale lifestyle shopping center in Plymouth, Mass., Bowdoin Construction truly excelled at one of the most essential elements in complex, multi-tenant projects: communication. Bowdoin also came prepared with extra tenant attention and keen coordination and management. They met or beat all schedule milestones while taking on additional work during the course of construction to deliver one of the region's first true lifestyle centers to the complete satisfaction of the client. Merit Award: Cutler Associates: University of Hartford New Residence Hall Cutler Associates' work on this new five-story freshmen residence hall has allowed the University of Hartford to meet its housing needs of today and have a template for its future growth. Cutler used a team approach with its subs to deal with challenges that included a heavily-wooded site and limited space for construction equipment. By leveraging the roles and strengths of each member of the design-build team, Cutler was able to deliver the 209-bed facility on time over a short 16-month total schedule, and under budget. Merit Award: Tocci Building Corp.: Aloft and Element Hotels Tocci's success with this unique hotel campus helped launch two new brands for Starwood Hotels. Tocci utilized Building Information Modeling (BIM) on one of the first-ever element hotels and the companion new aloft property. BIM's virtual models helped Tocci better accommodate mid-construction design changes, a post-design decision to achieve LEED-certification for element and extensive site work. Tocci's leadership and flexibility allowed for a successful launch of these two new hotels. Category: Commercial/Institutional/Industrial ($1 - $5 million) Eagle Award: C.E. Floyd Company, Inc.: Latitude 43 C. E. Floyd redeveloped an existing waterfront lot into an appealing new restaurant with a new public overlook deck, ramp, and float system. Floyd impressively replaced the original contractor after 30% of the project was completed and successfully corrected a number of major structural and other deficiencies while meeting the aggressive original schedule. This green project is seen as a catalyst in the revitalization of the Gloucester waterfront. Category: Public Works Eagle Award: Methuen Construction Company, Inc.: Somersworth, N.H. Water Treatment Facility Methuen Construction's skillful $7 million upgrade of this Somersworth, N.H. Water Treatment Plant included the assembly and installation of new tanks, pumps, control room and a relocation of the chemical treatment room. Methuen, which self-performed 45% of the work, used a mix of new technologies and old-fashioned leadership and know-how to modernize an historic 110-year-old facility and deliver a finished product that the city of Somersworth awarded 99 out of 100 points in its official score. Category: Historical Restoration (over $1 million) Merit Award: L.D. Russo, Inc.: The Blakely Building L. D.  Russo performed the historic restoration of the Blakely Building in Lawrence, Mass. and transformed this 100 year-old office building into a vibrant, mixed-use property of affordable housing and retail shops. By adding a six-story addition to a dilapidated structure, Russo faced a myriad of challenges that were resolved by the judicious use of shoring and leveling. The result is a restored and improved landmark building that is now a part of the future of the city of Lawrence and enjoyed by the dozens of residents who call it home. Category: Pre-Engineered Buildings, ($2 - 10 million) Merit Award: J.M. Coull, Inc.: F. W. Webb Distribution Facility With the construction of this distribution facility, J. M. Coull dispels the myth that there is no opportunity for uniqueness and innovation in pre-engineered construction. The architectural features, the extensive site work and the rugged construction schedule of this project during a harsh Vermont winter required considerable coordination, flexibility and adaptability to the various situtations among the project team.  Keeping out the cold became the mantra. The facility was completed to the total satisfaction of Coull's longtime client.  Category: Renovation Merit Award: Erland Construction, Inc.: Cadet Residence Hall at Mass. Maritime Academy Erland delivered a green prototype for the Mass. Maritime Academy that sets the new campus benchmark. This $14.1 million, 30,000 s/f Cadet Residence Hall involved extensive site utilization planning and subcontractor coordination to complete construction while the campus was operational. Erland worked within strict campus regulations and maintained harmony with the administration and cadet community on this environmentally-friendly project that has achieved a LEED Gold certification. Category: Electrical-Commercial Industrial (over $1 million) Eagle Award: Interstate Electrical Services Corp.: Genzyme With this project, Interstate showed that its work is up to the standards of Genzyme's new science center. With innovative features such as an emergency power system with dual roof-mounted generators, this project was described by Interstate's project team as a 'once in a career' opportunity. With a schedule shortened by three months and extensive, time-consuming testing of systems and components, Interstate met each challenge and played a key role in the construction of this world-class facility. Eagle Award: Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Inc.: Evergreen Solar Manufacturing Facility This 330,000 s/f mega-facility demanded a mega-effort from Griffin Electric: 10,000 man hours per month for seven months. Griffin handled numerous design changes over the broad scope that included six electrical substations and sophisticated power distribution and back-up systems. This plant was constructed using the lowest carbon footprint for a project of this type to date. Solar's pro-environment approach is impressive and commendable, as is Griffin's work that helped them achieve this distinction. Merit Award: The RELCO Companies: Milford Regional Cancer Center RELCO's work on this $25 million cancer center showcased the contractor's ability to shift on the fly and not miss a beat. RELCO's contract tripled during the project, to a total value of $2.6 million. Not only did RELCO fully self-perform all the work, they actually beat the schedule and budget. The firm credits safety awareness and coordination with other MEP trades for it successful results - two important messages for the industry. Category: Mechanical-Commercial/Industrial (over $1 million) Merit Award: DECCO, Inc.: Lonza PD Relocation/Suite 6 DECCO added to its track record for success with complex mechanical projects with this $7 million job for Lonza. What began as the build-out of a single lab grew to a full suite build-out that included all process and utility piping. DECCO describes the job as a testament to thorough planning and scheduling. It is also a testament to the shared commitment to success of all the DECCO management and field personnel involved in this demanding undertaking.