'Best of the Best' honor for Thornton-Tomasetti.

Thornton-Tomasetti Group, Inc. that its structural engineering solutions for The Plaza at PPL Center in Allentown, PA, were cited as having played a key role in the building's recent designation as one of the Urban Land Institute's "Best of the Best" developments nationwide for 2004.

Widely recognized as the land use industry's most prestigious awards program, only nine other projects in the U.S. were cited by ULI.

The ULI "Best of the Best" award is the latest in a series of honors that the project has received recently, including the American Institute of Architects Top Ten Green Project for 2004, and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED[TM] Gold rating for its use of sustainable building materials and other environmentally friendly features.

A team of structural engineers in Thornton-Tomasetti Group's New York office, led by Aine Brazil (Managing Principal) and Hi Sun Choi (Associate) utilized recycled steel and concrete containing fly ash throughout the building, assisting the project in attaining Gold LEED rating. The building opened last year at the corner of Ninth and Hamilton Streets in the city's central business district.

Ms. Choi said, "We achieved LEED credits from a few sources. Firstly, recycled steel was utilized. Secondly, a local manufacturer, located within a 500-mile radius from the job site, fabricated the steel members, which were installed by a local contractor. By having a local fabricator and installer, air pollution due to shipping of steel materials can be limited to the maximum travel distance of 500 miles. Thirdly, exposed tube steel members were painted instead of being wrapped by extra metal panels. Lastly, fly ash was used as a partial cement replacement in the concrete mix."

The eight-story office and retail building was designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects in association with Kendall/Heaton Associates and with support from environmental building consultant Atelier Ten. It is owned by Philadelphia-based Liberty Property Trust.

According to the AIA, the building was designed and built in 18 months on a suburban real-estate budget, $104 per square foot hard cost for the shell and core. Located at the corner of Ninth and Hamilton Streets, it is downtown Allentown's first new office development in over 25 years.

The building's eight-story glass atrium brings natural light deep into the core of the building, while extensive perimeter glazing provides panoramic views and abundant daylight filtered through solar visors directly to all building spaces. Carbon dioxide (C[O.sub.2]) sensors ensure that fresh air is supplied directly to each building area as needed.

The ULI jury said, "The Plaza at PPL Center incorporates a broad spectrum of sustainable design features and is certified as a LEED Gold building. Since the opening of the eight-story 250,000-s/f building in 2003, it has served as a catalyst for further economic development in the downtown business district."

The AIA stated, "A pair of two-story winter gardens along the south facade of the building provide unique workspaces for the occupants and improve indoor air quality. The building's layout and efficient building systems-plus through the use of zero-emitting or very low VOC (volatile organic compounds)-emitting paint, adhesives, sealants, carpet, and composite wood--reduce energy demand by more than 30% over code requirements.