2025 East Best Projects
Award of Merit, Higher Education/Research: Hardie Football Operations Center
Hardie Football Operations Center
Charlottesville, Va.
Award of Merit
Submitted by Barton Malow
Owner: University of Virginia
Lead Design Firm: ZGF Architects
Construction Manager: Barton Malow
Civil Engineer: VHB
Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
MEP Engineer: Introba
Landscape Architect: Nelson Byrd Woltz
Tele/Data Engineer: NV5
Fire Protection Engineer: CCI
Lighting Designer: Lumen Architecture
The project’s aggressive 18-month schedule required demolition of an existing artificial turf training field, modifications to the underfield drainage system and erection of a two-story, 93,000-sq-ft facility.
Design-assist partners were brought in early to complete BIM coordination and delegate design packages for MEP systems and long-lead items such structural steel. During construction, the team used a proactive inspection schedule and rolling punch list strategy.
As each area reached substantial completion, inspections and punch list resolutions occurred in real time, minimizing rework and end-of-project bottlenecks.
Completed on schedule and at budget, the building includes a 14,000-sq-ft strength and conditioning center, which connects directly to the new practice field; upgraded locker rooms and lounges; a robust sports medicine and hydrotherapy suite; dedicated dining and nutrition spaces; meeting rooms; and support spaces.
