Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 Construction Excellence Awards! On November 21, GBCA celebrated the best projects and programs from Philadelphia’s commercial construction industry at a gala event at Vie. Thanks to Gina Gannon of 6abc for hosting the event, and to the event’s sponsors!
Scroll down after the list of winners to see photos from the gala event!
Thanks also to our team of esteemed judges, who took on the difficult task of evaluating the projects and programs!
- Catherine Califano, City of Philadelphia Department of Planning and Development
- Martha Cross, City of Philadelphia Department of Planning and Development
- Tiffany Millner, ACE Mentor Program of Greater Philadelphia
- Gulbin Ozcan-Deniz, Thomas Jefferson University Construction Management Program
- Kathleen Short, Drexel University Construction Management Program
Project Awards Winners
Excellence In Craftsmanship
Project: Aramark Headquarters Relocation
Contractor: C. Erickson and Sons, Inc.
Owner: Aramark
Owner’s Representative: Watchdog Real Estate Project Management
Architect: Gensler
Engineer: Bala Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- Component Assembly Systems, Inc.
- Dale Construction LLC
- Paul Rabinowitz Glass Co.
- Steven Kempf Building Materials
For Aramark’s new 280,000 square foot headquarters at 2400 Market Street, C. Erickson and Sons selected the most qualified subcontractors with the highest level of skilled labor. Detailing and materials selection were collaboratively developed between the architect, Aramark’s Design & Construction team, fabricators, and the senior trades persons in the field. Erickson ensured exceptional quality by self-performing strategic installations, including the install of all millwork, doors/frame/hardware, and miscellaneous metals work. Some of the highlights included the 30-foot-long walnut butcher block top tables in the atrium, digital display walls, and a decorative stair within the five-story atrium – the centerpiece of the facility.
Best Adaptive Re-Use Project
Project: Samson Cancer Center
Contractor: P. Agnes, Inc.
Owner: Virtua Health System
Architect: FCA Architects
MEP Engineer: BR+A
Structural Engineer: O’Donnell & Naccarato
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- Bencardino Excavating, Inc.
- Crawford Caulking Co.
- EDA Contractors, Inc.
- Falasca Mechanical, Inc.
- Geppert Bros., Inc.
- Healy Long & Jevin
- Mega Construction
- Oliver Fire Protection & Security
- Precision Door Co.
- Roman Mosaic & Tile Co.
- M. Schnoll & Sons, Inc.
- Southern New Jersey Steel
This project featured a 48,000 square foot cancer center in the former site of an Acme supermarket. P. Agnes performed a complete gut and fit-out of the existing space, installed new HVAC and electric infrastructure, and implemented extensive new underground sanitary systems to accommodate the environmental and technological demands of the new cancer center. Additionally, an outdoor “healing garden” was designed and constructed for infusion center patients, who will also have a view out the window into the space. For the construction of the building’s front façade, P. Agnes removed the existing retail façade and replaced it with an architectural panel system, including new canopies and lighting schemes.
Best Cultural Institution Project
Project: Citizens Bank Park 2018-2019 Off Season Renovations
Contractor: LF Driscoll
Owner: The Philadelphia Phillies
Architect: EwingCole
Engineer: EwingCole
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- B. Pietrini & Sons, Inc.
- Central Metals, Inc.
- Charles H. MacDonald Electric Co.
- Dale Construction
- DM Sabia & Co., Inc.
- Herman Goldner Co., Inc.
During the 2018 offseason, the Phillies partnered with LF Driscoll for a complete overhaul of the stadium’s Third Base entry plaza and anchor sports bar and restaurant, transforming the former McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon into Pass and Stow. This new fan area offers a variety of options for food, drinks, and seating: four restaurants; an outdoor space with a beer garden patio, firepits, and Phillies waterfall feature; space for live music; TV screens; and a 50-foot pergola providing shade and cover. To ensure on-time project delivery in the Phillies’ strict six-month schedule, the team had an architect, engineer, and ownership project manager onsite, allowing key players to make changes and answer questions in real time.
Best Demolition Project
Project: Subaru Headquarters Demolition
Contractor: Gilbane Building Company
Owner: Subaru of America, Inc.
Architect: Gannett Fleming, Inc.
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- Geppert Bros., Inc.
Gilbane Building Company provided demolition management services for the Subaru Headquarters building in Cherry Hill, NJ. For the two-month demolition of the seven-story steel frame and concrete deck building, Gilbane focused on ensuring worker and equipment safety, and quality demolition. Gilbane conducted weekly safety inspections and potential hazards were rectified immediately. It also held weekly Monday morning safety stand downs with every tradesperson on site and reviewed a specific safety item that would have been relevant to the project. To ensure a quality demolition, Gilbane, Subaru, and Geppert Bros., Inc. collaborated to minimize waste and environmental damage. The project successfully diverted 97 % of the total construction demolished materials from going to landfills.
Best Educational Institution Project
Project: Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School
Contractor: Clemens Construction Company, Inc.
Owner:Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School
Architect: Blackney Hayes Architects
Engineer: Bala Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Engineer: O’Donnell & Naccarato
Engineer: Stantec
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- Brightline Construction, Inc.
- E.C. Fence & Iron Works
- Graboyes Commercial Window Company, Inc.
- Shore Supply
- Smith Flooring, Inc.
- Sunbelt Rentals
Clemens provided construction management services for the Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, a private Catholic high school for low income students. The new, 105,000 square foot high school for 600 students sits on a 5+ acre site. The project restored a warehouse for classroom space and an addition making up additional classroom space, a gymnasium and health center, a cafeteria, and offices. The restored warehouse’s masonry façade was cleaned, rebuilt, and repointed. Clemens also salvaged materials to reduce waste, including transforming damaged wood beams and floorboards into wood for flooring, accent walls, and staircases. Clemens also supported the owner’s diversity and inclusion goals by attending community meetings to identify local MBE- and WBE-certified firms, and by hiring carpenters who live in the neighborhood.
Best Electrical Construction Project
Project: New Bayhealth Hospital Milford, DE
Contractor: Battaglia Electric, Inc.
Owner: Bayhealth
Architect: Cannon Design Group
Engineer: Cannon Design Group
Battaglia Electric, Inc. constructed all electrical systems for a 440,000 square foot ambulatory cancer care center. Over 1-half mile of 33kv & 12kv service feeders, fiber optic and control cables, were fed from an outdoor substation through prefabricated duct-banks and manholes. Forty-five Integrated Facility System Units, which combined switchboards, panelboards, and transformers into a single product made 199 panelboards more customizable for the project and easier to layout and install. This was the first project in the state to use Integrated Project Delivery and it used BIM design, Lean Construction principles, and prefabrication to increase efficiency.
Best Fit-Out Project
Project: Aramark Headquarters Relocation
Contractor: C. Erickson and Sons, Inc.
Owner: Aramark
Owner’s Representative: Watchdog Real Estate Project Management
Architect: Gensler
Engineer: Bala Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- Component Assembly Systems, Inc.
- Dale Construction LLC
- Paul Rabinowitz Glass Co.
- Steven Kempf Building Materials
Aramark’s new headquarters at 2400 Market Street was constructed within the new 5-story overbuild of a repurposed 1920’s factory building, while the base building was still under construction. C. Erickson and Sons coordinated with the base building contractor to meet Aramark’s strict move-in schedule. Erickson used BIM coordination during pre-construction, providing a 3D-model of the existing base building and MEP systems. Erickson’s subcontractors participated in weekly 3D-clash detection meetings, reducing on-field conflicts. The project features an open workplace design, a dining facility, marketplace, test kitchen, and fitness center; as well as enhanced IT, AV, and security systems. The move of 1200+ employees took four weeks and required careful coordination with the landlord, other tenants, and other construction teams in the building.
Best Green Space Project
Project: University of the Sciences Living & Learning Commons
Contractor: Clemens Construction Company, Inc.
Owner: University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Architect: Design Collective
Architect: The Sheward Partnership, LLC
Engineer: Bala Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Engineer: Bohler Engineering, Inc.
Engineer: The Harman Group
Engineer: Langan Engineering
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- Brightline Construction, Inc.
- Component Assembly Systems, Inc.
- Dan Lepore and Sons
- Falasca Mechanical, Inc.
- Independence Steel, Inc.
- Shore Supply
Clemens Construction Company built the Green Globe-certified Living & Learning Commons, a new 426-bed residence hall at University of the Sciences. Located in the space created by the new U-shaped building, the open-air plaza’s stormwater management system features a new, state-of-the-art system that cascades water runoff from the roof, trench and area drains to a bioretention area on the ground level. There are five, stepped, bioretention ponds located in the courtyard. The full system drains in 24 hours. Clemens also placed over 4,000 square feet of charcoal tinted sidewalk and steps to create the pedestrian friendly oasis that the architect had envisioned.
Best Healthcare Project
Project: Bryn Mawr Hospital Patient Pavilion Expansion
Contractor: HSC Builders & Construction Managers
Owner: Bryn Mawr Hospital
Owner’s Representative: Stantec
Architect: CallisonRTKL
Engineer: Ballinger
Engineer: Chester Valley Engineers, Inc.
Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- B. Pietrini & Sons, Inc.
- Binsky & Snyder, Inc.
- EDA Contractors, Inc.
- Geppert Bros., Inc.
- Philadelphia D&M
- Superior Scaffold Services
The new Main Line Health Bryn Mawr Hospital is a 258,000 square foot patient pavilion featuring a new 34-bed maternity, Labor & Delivery unit, Level III neonatal intensive care units, operating rooms, patient rooms, new ambulance drop-off entrance, and 2 green roofs. HSC Builders & Construction Managers applied Integrated Project Delivery methodologies, using monthly collaborative work sessions and value-stream mapping to reduce operational waste and to develop a design that would bring more value to the patient. Quality Control was managed through the project management software with all trade foremen having access in the field through iPads. HSC also optimized the budget and schedule by uncovering opportunities such as replacing custom millwork with prefabricated construction.
Best Historic Preservation Project
Project: Richards Medical Research Laboratory Phase III Renovations
Contractor: TN Ward Company
Owner: University of Pennsylvania
Architect: Atkin Olshin Schade Architects (AOS)
Exterior Masonry Consultant: CVM
Exterior Envelope Consultant: RWDI
MEP/FP Engineer: Bruce E. Brooks & Associates
Structural Engineer: Keast & Hood
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- B. Pietrini & Sons
- BrandSafway Services
- Carr & Duff, Inc.
- Central Metals, Inc.
- EDA Contractors, Inc.
- Geppert Bros.
- Joseph Dugan Inc
- Mayfield Site Contractors, Inc.
- Oliver Fire Protection & Security
- Philadelphia D&M
- Revolution Recovery
- U.S. Glass & Metal, Inc.
- Unified Door & Hardware Group, LLC, Tru-Fit Frame and Door
The University of Pennsylvania’s Alfred Newton Richards Medical Research Laboratory, a complex of three towers, was designed by Louis I. Kahn and granted National Historic Landmark status in 2009. TN Ward Company replaced or restored all exteriors, original window frames, and mechanical/electrical systems, bringing each of the towers to its full potential while respecting Kahn’s vision. 3D BIM models were used to coordinate the mechanical, ductwork, plumbing, and electrical systems, and bi-weekly virtual walkthroughs with Penn and the design team ensured that systems were modernized and still aesthetically pleasing. Construction took place while the building was occupied and operational creating challenges such as strict noise restrictions. The team held town hall meetings to communicate and cooperate with occupants and residential services.
Best Hospitality Project
Project: Ronald McDonald House Chestnut Street Expansion
Contractor: P. Agnes, Inc.
Owner: Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House
Architect: EwingCole
MEP Engineer: EwingCole
Structural Engineer: David Chou & Associates
Civil Engineer: Pennoni Associates
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- American Floors Inc.
- ARC Document Solutions
- Berlin Steel
- Central Salvage Co., Inc.
- Chesco Coring & Cutting, Inc.
- D’Angelo Bros. Inc.
- EDA Contractors, Inc.
- Healy Long & Jevin
- Philadelphia D&M Inc.
- Precision Door Co.
- Southern New Jersey Steel
- Unified Door & Hardware Group, LLC
- Union Electric Contracting Company
- United States Roofing Corp.
The contractors, the trades, designers and community leaders collaborated on the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House Chestnut Street Expansion Project with the clients’ needs first: to help sick children and their families. This project transformed a landmark Victorian mansion and adjacent building from a 45-room house to a community featuring 127 bedrooms and suites, a welcome reception area, a kitchen and dining area, play areas, and rooftop green space. Without any loss in craftsmanship, the trades donated time and materials, totaling $670,000 worth of donated man hours, as well as discounts and material donations from trade partners. P. Agnes used Lean Construction principles and The Last Planner System for scheduling, and prefabrication and BIM process to eliminate waste and improve quality.
Best Residential, Mixed-Use, or Office Space Project
Project: Comcast Technology Center
Contractor: LF Driscoll
Owner: Comcast
Architect: Foster + Partners
Engineer: Bala Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- AmQuip Crane Rental, LLC
- Apache Industrial United
- AT Chadwick Company, Inc.
- B. Pietrini & Sons
- Bayshore Rebar
- Carr & Duff, Inc.
- Central Metals Inc.
- Chesco Coring & Cutting
- Copeland Surveying Inc.
- D’Angelo Brothers, Inc.
- Dale Corporation
- DM Sabia & Co.
- Doughterty Electric
- EDA Contractors, Inc.
- Eureka Metal & Glass Services, Inc.
- Med-Tex Services, Inc.
- National Glass & Metal Company, Inc.
- Philadelphia D&M, Inc.
- Re-Steel Supply Co., Inc.
- Richard S. Burns & Company
- Ritter Contracting, Inc.
- The Watson Organization, Inc.
The Comcast Technology Center blends technology, creativity, and sustainable design. The 59-floor building holds TV stations, state-of-the-art office spaces, a luxury hotel, and indoor plazas and “sky garden” atria. For maximum structural integrity, the foundation system consists of caissons, central mat slab, and perimeter cast-in-place foundation walls. Roofing consists of green and membrane roofs. LF Driscoll used virtual construction tools, including BIM and laser scanning, and all trades and subcontractors participated in developing and updating the model. LF Driscoll partnered with subcontractors that did not have the preexisting resources for BIM and helped them learn from and participate in the process. The project focused on Philadelphia’s diversity and inclusion goals, with approximately 30% of the overall construction workforce being people of color or women.
Best Retail Project
Project: Boyds Philadelphia
Contractor: Clemens Construction Company, Inc.
Owner: Boyds
Architect: DAS Architects
Engineer: Bala Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- Dougherty Electric, Inc.
- Eureka Metal & Glass Services Inc
- Independence Steel Inc.
- James Floor Covering, Inc.
- Joseph Dugan, Inc.
Clemens Construction Company performed a full fit-out of Boyds’s five-story limestone building, including the retail, office and back-of-house spaces, as well as a historic restoration of the entire storefront façade. In order to stay as invisible as possible, construction was completed in phases, with departments relocated and finished walkways created for customers. Clemens renewed the interior’s historic details, such as the existing decorative columns. New concrete was poured onto damaged column bases and faux-finished to look like marble, making them indistinguishable from the original pieces. For this high-end retail store, many finishes were custom built, including made-to-measure mosaic tilework, carpet inserts, a new stair with custom patina and glass, and light fixtures. Using its in-house workforce, Clemens maximized workflow efficiency while maintaining exceptional craftsmanship.
Best Specialty Contractor Project
Project: Penn Museum – Moving the Sphinx
Contractor: Superior Scaffold Services
Owner: Penn Museum
Engineer: Alternate Design Solutions
Other GBCA Members Involved:
- HSC Builders & Construction Managers
Superior Scaffold Services provided the elevated scaffolding/shoring ramp at the Penn Museum to move its unofficial mascot, a priceless, 3,000-year-old, 25,000 pound Sphinx of Ramses II, into the Main Entrance Hall. “Post shores” were installed under the floors along the entrance and exit points inside the building. The Sphinx was moved out of a window, across the courtyard on a 250-foot long and 10-foot high elevated ramp, and then back in through another window to its new location. The entire ramp was covered with plywood decking and an airtight, rubber surface that helped 4 air dollies float the Sphinx like a puck on an air hockey table so that crews could move it.
Program and Member Awards Winners
Excellence in Safety – General Contractor or Construction Manager
Contractor: Turner Construction Company
At Turner, working safely is a job requirement and intertwined with the company’s culture and lifestyle. Turner’s Building L.I.F.E. Program (Living Injury Free Everyday)® focuses on finding safety solutions that are holistic and sustainable. It requires leadership engagement, a shift in safety focus from incidents to risk, engrained system thinking into all safety issues, and involves the workers who are closest to the risk. The L.I.F.E. Program’s processes include pre-qualifying all subcontractors, developing site-specific safety plans, adopting better PPE and hard hats, site safety orientations for all workers, daily morning safety huddles, safety stand-downs, and ongoing safety training. Turner also uses Predictive Solutions to capture operational and behavioral risks, and then implements the lean process of Plan-Do-Check-Adjust to improve safety processes and behaviors.
Excellence in Safety – Specialty Contractor
Contractor: Pullman SST, Inc.
For PULLMAN, safety is not a priority or policy to be enforced: it is the company’s culture and ingrained in all activities. The company’s safety plan is based on the belief that all employees must take a proactive role in safety. Frontline employees can provide input and participate in activities including Daily Stretch and Flex, weekly toolbox talks, and site safety meetings and inspections. Safety Data Sheets and Technical Data Sheets are delivered via QR Codes on every worker’s hard hat, the dashboards of PULLMAN trucks, and gang-boxes, replacing MSDS binders. For the Safety 24/7 Re-Boot Program, office leadership visits each jobsite, including night shifts, and works through the book Safety 24/7 by Anderson & Lorber to “Re-Booting” crews’ commitment to safety.
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
Contractor: Turner Construction Company
Turner Construction Company works to attract diverse talent and to create a sense of belonging among all employees. Turner has successfully met and exceeded Philadelphia’s and clients’ EOP requirements on projects such as the FMC Tower at Cira Centre South and the Lincoln Field Improvements. Underrepresented Business Enterprises partnering with Turner may draw upon Turner’s educational resources such as Turner’s School of Construction Management to help them grow in the industry. Internally, Turner holds Unconscious Bias Training for all staff. Turner draws upon its four Employee Resource Groups: Mosaic, Young Professional, Women’s, and Pride Networks. For example, the Pride Network held LGBTQ Ally training, discussing challenges faced by LGBTQ people in the workplace, and how to dialogue with other staff and with partners in the field.
Excellence in Education and Professional Development
Contractor: Gilbane Building Company
To continue to attract, retain and develop world-class builders, Gilbane has invested millions of dollars into Gilbane University (GU). GU provides content and experiential learning to build skill and behaviors in four areas of practice – field & functional training, professional development, management development, and leadership development. Courses are offered in person or self-paced online, and in a range of areas, including the Gilbane Leadership Development Program, the Lean Practitioner Program, Communicating with Impact, and OSHA 30 for all field staff. GU also provides tools to help employees establish clear career development plans, including 360 assessments, personality profiles, and individual coaching.
Excellence in Workforce Development
Contractor: Turner Construction Company
Turner Construction Company strives to foster growth among its employees. Turner construction career development begins immediately: its new employee on-boarding program works to prepare all Turner employees for making an impact in the construction industry. This program plugs new employees into Turner’s approaches to construction, such as Lean Construction Principles, BIM, Virtual Reality, and Sustainability. The program also builds Turner’s construction community, emphasizing employee engagement through its Employee Resource Groups. For college new hires, this program prepares employees to feel comfortable asking educated questions on their jobsites. For experienced hires, the program is designed to apply and integrate their previous knowledge to Turner’s processes and culture.
Affiliate of the Year
Contractor: Kieffer’s Appliances
Kieffer’s Appliances, a family-owned appliance dealer founded in 1917 brings professional service, support, and a broad product selection to an industry dominated by large, impersonal retail chains to the trade and to customers. Kieffer’s Appliances has become the largest independent appliance dealer in the tristate area featuring over 65 brands of appliances in our Destination Showroom. In addition to internal employee recognition and support programs, Kieffer’s works with and supports organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House and Homes For Our Troops.
Check out photos from the gala event!
*NOTE TO MEMBERS: If sharing images of the winners, please credit Industry & Commerce Image Works (@icimageworks on social media).
