Natural Impacts With High-Tech Results Define Northwest Best Projects
Honored work includes innovative space for the technology and research industries and infrastructure that ties into the Northwest’s natural beauty
The superstructure on Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, consists of 78 segments and was built using classical cantilever form travelers, one on each side of the towers.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KIEWIT
The 14 projects recognized by the judges in this year’s regional Best Projects program reflect the diversity of the Northwest’s physical and commercial environment.
The Allen Institute in Seattle—this year’s Project of the Year—and Google Building D are indicative of the growth of the region’s high-tech industry. The Kodiak Airport runway safety addition, the Excellence in Safety honoree, and small project Ivar’s Pier touch upon the natural wonders of the Northwest.
Six judges reviewed more than 30 projects that were completed between June 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016. The panel included: Todd Coleman, port sector manager, PBS Engineering & Environmental; Kai Kaoni, assistant professor of practice at Northern Arizona University; Michael Newbury, principal, Stantec; Chris Toher, executive vice president and general manager, Skanska; John Schaufelberger, dean, College of Built Environments, University of Washington; and Kyle Womack, associate principal, Hennebery Eddy Architects.
Submissions were awarded for 13 of the 19 Best Project categories: airport/transit; government/public building; green project; health care; higher education/research; highway/bridge; interior/tenant improvement; office/retail/mixed-use; renovation/restoration; residential/hospitality; small project (under $10 million); sports/entertainment; water/environment.
The judges rated the projects based on five criteria: overcoming challenges and teamwork; safety; innovation and contribution to the community; construction quality and craftsmanship; and the function and/or aesthetic quality of the design.
Projects that experienced a construction-related fatality were automatically disqualified.
Judges chose a category winner and one or more awards of merit. They also selected one overall Project of the Year and an Excellence in Safety winner. More than a dozen projects were considered for the Excellence in Safety Award, based upon their OSHA incident rates, lost-time accidents, total man-hours and the quality of the project’s safety programs.
The ENR Best Projects program covers all 50 states through 10 regional editions and honors more than 200 projects. The winners from each region then move on to the national Best of the Best awards, which will be awarded in April.
- Higher Education/Research - Allen Institute
- Excellence in Safety - Kodiak Airport RSA
- Best Airport/Transit - East Segment of the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project
- Best Government/Public Building - Eugene Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center
- Best Green Project - Google Kirkland Campus – Building D
- Healthcare Award of Merit - Navos Behavioral Healthcare Center for Children, Youth & Families
- Best Healthcare - Seattle Children's South Clinic
- Best Highway/Bridge - Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People
- Office/Retail/Mixed Use Award of Merit - SRMKII Phase 2 Tech. Office Core and Shell
- Best Office/Retail/Mixed Use - Karuna East & West Buildings at One North
- Best Residential/Hospitality - Hassalo on Eighth
- Small Project under 10 million Award of Merit - Ivar's Pier 54 Piling and Apron Replacement
- Best Sports Entertainment - University of Oregon - Jane Sanders Stadium
- Award of Merit Water/Environment - Colorado Dam Safe Passage (Bend Whitewater Park)
- Best Water/Environment - Asplund WWTF Disinfection Upgrade Project
