Two KBE Building Corp. Projects Recognized by ENR New York

Online, December 2, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Two university building projects completed this year by KBE Building Corporation (KBE), www.kbebuilding.com, have been selected by Engineering News-Record New York as among the top construction projects of the year in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area. According to ENR, the award program focused not only on the value and scope of the structures, but on those projects which "stood out among their peers for overall qualities such as craftsmanship, innovation, and/or safety."

The two KBE projects selected by ENR's jurors include the renovation of the University of Connecticut McMahon Dining Hall as "Best Small Project" and the New London Hall Science Building at Connecticut College for an "Award of Merit: Higher Education."

The top category winners in ENR New York's Best Projects, including the UConn McMahon Dining Hall, will face another round of review for possible national selection as Engineering News-Record's Best of the Best Projects for 2013. Those winners will be announced in early 2014. For more information about KBE's construction projects for educational facilities and campuses, visit www.kbebuilding.com and click on What We Build.

University of Connecticut McMahon Dining Hall Renovation (LEED-Gold Commercial Interior Certification), Storrs, Conn.

The KBE team completed a total revamp of the dining facility in only 120 days during UConn's summer break. They modernized and increased seating of the 50-year-old building and created an international-style dining and social hub for faculty and students. In addition to the 15,275 sq-ft renovation, the project included a 5,075 sq-ft entry addition on the first level. KBE also worked on the administrative space on the second level.

The scope of construction included demolition of the existing storefront and kitchen space; site improvements; foundations; structural steel; and interior construction, including all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, kitchen equipment, and interior finishes.

A tight schedule allowed no room for delays. Vendors and materials were lined up in three months prior to the project's start. KBE planned for all possible contingencies, including bringing in two additional subcontractors to cover potential material or labor shortages.

Designed by Prellwitz/Chilinski Associates of Cambridge, Mass., the project achieved LEED-Gold Commercial Interior certification. Among its sustainable design elements are energy-saving food service appliances, large windows for daylighting, energy-efficient lighting, and low-flow water fixtures.

Connecticut College, New London Hall Science Building (LEED-Gold Certification), New London, Conn.

This $17.7-million project renovated and expanded New London Hall, the oldest building on the Connecticut College campus, to create a new graduate-level science facility with a collaborative space for teaching and research. The project included gut renovation of the four-story, 26,000 sq-ft structure and construction of a new 10,000 sq-ft, four-story addition. Designed by Payette Architects of Boston, the Science Building was initially planned for LEED-Silver certification, but was able to achieve LEED Gold.

Design and construction was completed in only 26 months, compressed from the original 44-month schedule. A Formal Partnering Program committed all project stakeholders to a team-focused attitude throughout the design and building process. Weekly Partner meetings continued throughout construction, with a "Champion of the Week" recognized for their collaborative work overcoming complications that arose during the project. Information-sharing was facilitated by a secure-access website for the project architect, owner, KBE, subcontractors, and vendors.

Forty-five geothermal wells provide 100 percent of the building's heating and cooling, which helped the project achieve a higher-than-projected LEED Certification.