Whiting Turner was honored for its work on UD's Harker Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory.

Projects cited

UD construction projects receive Delaware Contractors Association awards

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9:42 a.m., Dec. 1, 2015--Six construction projects on the University of Delaware campus received special recognition for their construction firms during the annual meeting of the Delaware Contractors Association held recently at the Chase Center in Wilmington. 

The awards are cosponsored by the Delaware Contractors Association and the state’s Office of Management and Budget. 

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The Delaware Contractors Association is a nonprofit organization designed to bring strength and unity to the construction industry in the First State. 

Delaware Contractors Association awards for projects on the UD campus include:

General building over $5 million: Whiting Turner Contracting Company, for the Harker Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory. Named in recognition of the tenure of Patrick T. Harker as the 26th president of the University of Delaware, the building was formally dedicated on Oct. 17, 2013.

The award notes that the facility represents a key piece of the University’s plans to transform undergraduate teaching on campus. Construction was a challenge, due to a tight location with a high water table. Notable for the project are the 14 building skin types used on the exterior, while the interior contains a number of sophisticated systems. 

General building over $5 million: Skanska USA Building, for the Harrington Residence Hall Complex renovations. The project had to overcome two significant issues unknown at its inception, including the repair of multiple elements in the roof structure and installing a new piping system and slab. The work was completed with minimum impact on the construction schedule, the citation noted. The Harrington Complex reopened for the start of the 2015 fall semester. 

Infrastructure construction under $5 million: Corrado Construction Co., for the Harrington Complex project. Completion required demolition and construction of an array of underground utilities, while maintaining ongoing critical University operations and city traffic flow in challenging weather conditions. The award notes that a team approach was critical to complete this project on time, within budget and without injury. 

Historical preservation: gBuild Construction Managers, for Daugherty Hall renovations. The second adaptive reuse of the 1868 church that serves as part of the Trabant University Center posed significant challenges in craftsmanship and historic construction repair. Issues included repairing highly complex ornamental plasterwork, stained glass restoration and installation of custom made ornamental lighting sconces. The award also noted that the contractor exhibited a high level of craftsmanship and project organization that admirably achieved the design vision. 

Excellence in craftsmanship-fire suppression: Wayman Fire Protection, for Caesar Rodney Hall. Challenges included dealing with numerous mixed ceiling types and assemblies, and multiple code types. Extensive use of 3-D and Autocad software was used to integrate piping into the structure. Installation of the fire pump also was a challenge due to the unique nature of the site. The Caesar Rodney Complex on Academy Street was dedicated during ceremonies held Friday, Oct. 2.

Special projects: gBuild Construction Managers, for building electrical service and switchgear replacement in DuPont Hall. The renovation project involved replacing the 56-year-old outdoor high voltage switch, utility transformers and the indoor main switchboard that supplies all the electrical need for the building. StudioJAED, design engineer for the project, noted that the commitment to completing many phases under restrictive timelines around student and staff activities was greatly appreciated.

 Article by Jerry Rhodes

Photo by Evan Krape

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