Alliant Announces Winners of 2015 Build America Awards

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.

Alliant Insurance Services and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) announced the winners of the 2015 Alliant Build America Awards.

The Alliant Build America Awards highlight the nation’s most significant construction projects. A panel of judges representing all areas of construction evaluates an impressive number of submissions every year, assessing each project’s complexity, use of innovative construction techniques, and client satisfaction, among other criteria. The awards, which were announced during the association’s annual convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, are considered by many to be the most prestigious recognition of construction accomplishments in the U.S.

“These extraordinary projects represent the best of our industry and demonstrate how contractors continue to inspire us with their craft and skill,” said Peter Arkley, Senior Managing Director, Alliant Insurance Services. “We congratulate this year’s winners – including Alliant clients Clark Construction and Skanska USA Building Inc. – as well as all of the other nominees for their commitment to excellence. These world-class projects are a source of pride for their local communities and bring jobs to the region, and we are honored to be associated with the Build America Awards.”

“These projects demonstrate the qualities that have made the construction industry great: hard work, ingenuity, and world-class skill,” said Stephen S. Sandherr, Chief Executive Officer of the Associated General Contractors of America. “Contractors like these are not only building exceptional projects; they’re building a better, more prosperous America.”

Clark Construction’s Los Angeles Hall of Justice was one of the most significant construction projects of 2014, receiving the award for Best Building Renovation between $11 million to $199 million. Originally constructed in 1925, the Hall of Justice in Downtown Los Angeles was damaged by a 1994 earthquake and, for nearly 20 years, sat practically dormant and unsound for continued occupation. Clark Construction Group began work to rebuild the structure that included a complete structural retrofit, intricate historic restoration, and complete tenant improvement, as well as a new 1,000-car parking structure for building occupants. To accommodate a modern office building environment, the 11th and 13th floors of the building were removed to allow for double-height spaces, harnessing natural light. Clark delivered a modern, LEED Gold certified facility that maintained the building’s historic elements on schedule and within budget.

Skanska USA Building Inc. received the Best Building Renovation Over $200 million award for its work on the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, Mass. The expansion and renovation of the Harvard Fogg Museum, located on the Harvard University Campus, was both complex and historically significant. Work involved the selective demolition of the 1927 historic structure, including all mechanical, engineering, and plumbing systems and the removal of five separate additions, while historic façades, travertine stonework, and columns replicating a 15th century Italian piazza were all protected in place. The team at Skanska not only restored the original façade and courtyard, but constructed a 130,000-square-foot new addition. In addition to increasing the gallery space, providing multiple upgrades and several building code updates, the project and its end result stayed true to the museum’s original mission to remain a teaching museum and allow unrestricted access to the artwork on display. The four-year project was completed on schedule and on budget.

The first annual Alliant Build America Scholarship Program was also announced at the conference. The scholarship is given to students seeking degrees in construction management, construction science and management, or construction engineering. Each year, up to 20 students will be awarded the Alliant Scholarship.

A full list of the Alliant Build America Award winners is available here and pictures of the winners are available here.

About Alliant Insurance Services

Headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. is one of the largest insurance brokerage firms in the United States and has a history dating back to 1925. Alliant provides property and casualty, workers’ compensation, employee benefits, surety, and financial products and services to more than 26,000 clients nationwide, including public entities, tribal nations, healthcare, energy, law firms, real estate, construction, and other industry groups. More information is available on the company’s web site at: www.alliant.com.

Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.
Lynda Lane, 949-260-5050
Senior Vice President and Corporate Director
Marketing and Corporate Communications
llane@alliant.com