STORRS, Conn. — The already high-profile Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math residence hall at the University of Connecticut received even more attention at a topping out ceremony on Sept. 14. Hosted jointly by UCONN and the project's Design-Build Team Leader, KBE Building Corporation, the traditional ceremony was held in celebration of the latest milestone for the $79-million construction project. In the week leading up to the ceremony, all project subcontractors were invited to sign the building's last two precast planks. During the ceremony, KBE staff members placed the final two planks, which were attached to an American flag and a … Read more

CHICAGO, Ill. — On Sept. 1 representatives from the city of Palos Heights, Williams Architects and Gilbane Building Company broke ground on the addition and renovation to the Palos Heights Recreation Center in Palos Heights, Illinois. Gilbane is serving as construction manager for the program and Williams Architects as the architect. Made possible via a successful referendum in November 2014, this project will include approximately 24,000 square feet of additional space, as well as additional parking spaces. Interior components of this facility include a new gymnasium, fitness center, track and the renovation of the existing gymnasium and staff offices into … Read more

The 35-story Capitol Tower office project — which Skanska is developing and building in Houston, Texas — started in part recently with a 19-hour, 20-minute concrete pour to create a mat foundation that varies between seven and nine-and-a-half feet thick. The planning and execution of this 9,020 cubic yard continuous pour was so precise that the actual duration was within three minutes of what had been planned. The operation went smoothly and safely, thanks to the detailed planning and coordination that began months before. This included specifying all aspects of the operation — which lasted from the afternoon of Saturday, … Read more

DENVER, Colo. — PCL Construction Services, Inc. in Denver, has broken ground for the newest fire station at the Denver International Airport—Fire Station 35. The station will be the airport's first fire station open to the public, and firefighters will respond primarily to public safety events at airport structures. The 18,000-square-foot station will resemble an airplane hangar, complete with an arched roof, and is expected to achieve U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Gold certification. Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2016. “This new fire station will enhance the ability of our partners at the Denver Fire … Read more

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Brasfield & Gorrie has completed construction of Infinity Hall, a new residence hall located at The University of Florida's Innovation Square in Gainesville, Florida. The new living-learning center has opened to students for the fall semester.   With a capacity to accommodate more than 300 residents, the facility's four floors of residence suites include eight single rooms, 16 single-suite rooms, 48 double-suite rooms and 20 four-person-suite rooms. The facility also includes team meeting rooms, an entertainment room, flexible spaces to support The University of Florida's entrepreneurship programs, a resident apartment and a maintenance shop.   Privately developed … Read more