Two PCL Projects Win Green Building Excellence Awards

Two PCL Construction projects received national green building awards at the recent Canada Green Building Council’s Building Lasting Change conference. The Roam Transit Operations and Training Centre, located in Banff, Alberta, won the Zero Carbon Design Award, and the Ken Soble Tower at 500 MacNab, located in Hamilton, Ontario, won the Deep Carbon Retrofit Award. Both awards recognize teams that construct projects that demonstrate climate leadership through innovative carbon reduction strategies and optimal building performance. The Roam Transit Operations and Training Centre sets an example for zero-carbon buildings. The center is one of the first transit storage and maintenance buildings … Read more

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Groundbreaking Held for New US Embassy in Doha, Qatar

Highlighting the deepening ties of friendship between the United States and Qatar, the Overseas Buildings Operations, the U.S. Mission in Doha and other U.S. and local officials recently broke ground for a new U.S. Embassy in Qatar’s capital city. Located on a 12.3-acre site in a new diplomatic zone in Doha’s Wadi al Banat district, the new U.S. Embassy will support the continued expansion of U.S.–Qatari diplomatic, security and commercial relations. Richärd Kennedy Architects is the design architect, American International Contractors Inc. (Special Projects) is the Design-Build contractor and KCCT is the architect of record. An estimated $110 million will … Read more

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Modular Construction Goes Mainstream

How modular classrooms help with COVID restrictions, supply chain challenges + dwindling workforce By Robert Ussery It’s no longer your father’s classroom… or even yours, for that matter! Modular construction has come a long way in the past few decades. What was once little more than a construction system for quickly building portable classrooms, has evolved into an efficient and cost-effective way to build aesthetically pleasing schools. As a case in point, Otto Construction – a 75-year-old family business based in Sacramento, California – recently completed work on the Rancho Santana School in Hollister, California, about 90 miles south of … Read more

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Turning Historic Preservation Project Challenges into Opportunities

Building within a geothermal field at a historic site By Phil Root The Michigan State Capitol opened in 1879 in Lansing. As with historic structures, it has undergone multiple restorations. Following an exterior restoration in 1992, it was named a National Historic Landmark and welcomes more than 115,000 visitors annually. After the 1992 restoration, protection of newly renovated spaces became a top priority, and state officials discussed adding a welcome center. After the exterior dome and stone façade restoration in 2015, a $70-million infrastructure project was approved to repair failing systems. Work included electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire suppression/alarm and building … Read more

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Travis Schmitt Promoted to Project Superintendent at S. M. Wilson & Co.

Travis Schmitt has been promoted to project superintendent at S. M. Wilson & Co. He has held previous positions with the company as assistant superintendent and field engineer. He is leading the field team for the new $34-million Spoede Elementary, which is being built as part of the $112-million Prop L Ladue bond program. Schmitt is a graduate of Southwestern Illinois College with a degree in construction management. S. M. Wilson is a construction management, Design-Build and general contracting company founded in 1921 with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri and offices in Edwardsville, Illinois and Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The 100% … Read more

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