Construction excellence: The BKD Build Indiana Awards. (Real Estate & Construction).

Two college buildings, two memorials and a water-treatment facility were honored for construction excellence in this year's BKD Build Indiana Awards program.

The awards recognize contractors whose construction projects demonstrate quality, innovation, excellence in project management and teamwork. This was the third year for the annual awards program cosponsored by BKD, the eighth-largest CPA and consulting firm in the United States, and Associated General Contractors of Indiana, a state construction association. Recipients of the awards received trophies that symbolize Indiana--constructed of Indiana limestone and the green glass resembling that manufactured in Indiana for Ball jars and CocaCola bottles.

"Few outside the construction industry truly understand the effort required to construct these highly complex and demanding projects," says George P. Gabor, partner, BKD Construction/Real Estate Services. The 2001 BKD Build Indiana Award winners are:

PRIVATE SECTOR AWARD

CDI Inc., Terre Haute 

White Chapel, Rose-Hulman

Terre Haute

Institute of Technology,

The inspired design of White Chapel, located on the campus of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, was the product of the architectural firm V.O.A. in Chicago. The building was constructed by CDI Inc. of Terre Haute.

The entire east end of the chapel is cantilevered over a campus lake. The chapel's large window system presents a spectacular view of the water and campus. When viewed from the opposite side of the lake, the east elevation of the chapel presents an image of grandeur.

Project manager Rochelle Gardner says she believes "the project will be a signature feature for both Rose-Hulman and Terre Haute." Although the building appears especially complicated, she says the biggest challenge in completing it was in ensuring proper sequencing and coordination.

In order to construct the building foundations, it was necessary to build a "cofferdam" in order to "dewater" the area around the foundation. During this time, concrete caissons were formed and poured. Shoring for an elevated concrete slab, which now cantilevers the lake, was installed and the concrete was poured. Once under-slab ductwork was in place, the cofferdam was removed.

Fourteen structural tube arches, each different in height and width, were roll-formed and erected during a period of extreme cold weather. The finished roof of stainless steel interlocking shingles appears as "fish scale."

Other distinctive features of the 4,800-square-foot chapel include a full-length ridge skylight system and a ribbon curtain-wall system. Materials include Indiana limestone, stone flooring at the entry vestibules and corridor, and oak trim. The project was completed in June of last year.

Judging from the influx of visitors throughout the course of construction, the White Chapel will become a prominent landmark on the Rose-Hulman campus and help attract new engineering students to the nationally ranked school.

PUBLIC/NOT-FOR-PROFIT AWARD

Hagerman Construction Corp.,

Fort Wayne

The Coleman Morse Center, University of Notre Dame, South Bend

Every Notre Dame student will use the Coleman Morse Center at one point during his or her studies, so quality materials--such as brick, limestone wall tile, oak woodwork, terrazzo floors and a granite foundation--were used to make the building stand the test of time.

"The use of modern-day materials combined with old-world methods created a structure that will last a hundred years," says Molly Burns, marketing representative for Hagerman.

The First Year Studies department, Academic Services for Student Athletes and the Office of Campus Ministry are all located in the center. The building also serves the needs of many campus organizations. There are choir rehearsal rooms, and a Catholic Mass is offered every Friday in the chapel for students and faculty.

The Kugel ball fountain stands as the showpiece of the building. Two jets force water upwards underneath a 30-inch, 1,300-pound granite sphere creating a thin layer of water that keeps the ball rotating. The fountain was created to symbolize baptism, community and service. Much of the trim used on the building was crafted on-site.

RENOVATION AWARD

Shook LLC, Indianapolis

The Indiana War Memorial is an impressive limestone and granite structure occupying the entire city block bound by Michigan, Meridian, Vermont and Pennsylvania streets in Indianapolis. General John J. Pershing laid the cornerstone on July 4, 1927. The building was completed in 1933.

Indiana War Memorial Exterior & Interior Restoration, Indianapolis

"For a construction company to go in and try to match construction of the early '30s, it was difficult," says Mark Grasso, project manager for Shook. "We were able to do that and maintain historical aesthetics and still give it structural integrity to last a hundred years."

The memorial has endured decades of exposure to the elements of weather and time. Limestone and granite payers were neglected for years. Rainwater had penetrated the existing waterproofing and damaged historic plaster friezes and reliefs inside the building. Time and neglect damaged the ornamental paint, guilding and marble facades. Obsolete mechanical systems also speeded the deterioration of the facility.

Shook LLC completed the project in May of 2001 with little disruption of the daily activities associated with the memorial, which remained open to the public. Functions, parades and notable meetings were held as scheduled. "The coordination we had to put together with the memorial, the state of Indiana and the architects was incredible," Grasso notes.

Ornamental painting was reproduced based upon historic photos and extensive field investigation. "Fortunately, there was a tremendous amount of documentation during the original construction of the facility," Grasso says. The gold leaf ceilings were replicated by hand to match the original. The marble veneer walls were also reworked by hand, and in some cases replaced. Grout was replaced and cleaned. The mechanical system was upgraded to maintain a constant climate within the facility.

UTILITY AWARD

Bowen Engineering Corp., Fishers

7.0 Million Gallon Chlorine

In March 2000, the Indianapolis Water Co. (IWC) decided to construct the largest post-tensioned concrete tank ever built in Indiana. When completed, this project would bring IWC in compliance with new environmental regulations that govern the length of time that chlorine is in contact with drinking water.

Contact Basin at White River Station, Indianapolis Water Co.

IWC had been evaluating post-tensioned concrete tank construction--a method of laying concrete that reduces deflections and cracking--for several years. Its analysis clearly showed that the method would eliminate the costs of large quantities of concrete and reinforcing bar when compared to traditional concrete tank construction. Where traditional slabs can be up to 24 inches thick, post-tensioned slabs are only 5 inches thick.

The project was delivered under a modified design-build contract between IWC, Bowen Engineering and Kansas City-based Black & Veatch. The team began design in May 2000 and excavation began in July. The project was completed 10 months later.

Since the tank was larger than a football field, the project required 95,000 cubic yards of excavation. The 85,000-square-foot base slab was poured continuously, placing 1,700 cubic yards of concrete with pumps and laser screeds. More than 43 miles of precisely located tendons were installed and "pulled into tension" to provide structural integrity.

THE BKD GOVERNOR'S AWARD

Glenroy Construction Co. Inc.,

Indianapolis

Indiana Law Enforcement and Firefighters Memorial, Indianapolis

In addition to the BKD Build Indiana Awards, the BKD Governor's Award is presented periodically when a company's project significantly exceeds all award criteria and creates an extraordinarily positive impact on the Indiana community. This year, Glenroy Construction Co Inc. of Indianapolis received the prestigious award for its work on the Indiana Law Enforcement and Firefighters Memorial in downtown Indianapolis.

Located in the heart of the Indiana Government Center campus, the Indiana Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters Memorial stands as a monument to Indiana's public safety heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the citizens of Indiana.

The memorial, made of Indiana limestone, granite and bronze, features a fountain in the shape of the Indiana flag. Built only 16 inches above a pedestrian tunnel, the project required careful consideration of existing structures, streets and utilities, and that extra care paid off. "We really didn't have any trouble at all. It went like clockwork," says C. Lane Slaughter, president of Glenroy. He says this was the first project of its kind for the company.

The towering pylons of limestone were challenging to fabricate, transport and install. The pylons support large bronze medallions, which appear to float. The bronze medallions each weigh about 500 pounds and required substantial anchorage. After 10 months of work, the project was finished in June of last year.

The project required exacting tolerances to ensure proper spacing of the memorial panels, drainage of the plaza, lighting location and orientation and fountain layout. Components such as fountains, piping and light fixtures had to be located precisely along certain segments of the ellipse. Glenroy and its subcontractors performed daylight and nighttime inspections and demonstrations to ensure that the lighting and fountains performed as designed.

Says Melvin Carraway, superintendent of the Indiana State Police, "The Indiana Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters Memorial offers all Hoosiers a place to stop and reflect upon the sacrifices these men and women have made."

For more information about The BKD Build Indiana Awards and The BKD Governor's Award--or to find out bow your company can enter the 2002 contest-contact Kelly Favory, Associated General Contractors of Indiana Inc., 317/656-8899, [e-mail]; or Megban Mayer BKD LLP 317/393-4219, [e-mail].