With an appetite for technically complex and otherwise demanding projects, and several recent, high-profile wins in both the building and civil sectors, PCL Construction Enterprises is flying high when other Southeast contractors are lying low. From the recent success of its building division delivering the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for Universal Orlando, to its civil unit's lead on the bid-build-finance of a nearly $400-million interchange project in Tampa for the Florida Dept. of Transportation, PCL has a momentum uncommon in today's economy.The latest evidence of its hot streak came in April, when the Orlando-based Southeast building unit, PCL Construction
The pace of new nonresidential and residential construction starts in Georgia accelerated in May, with both sectors experiencing 10% increases, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, publisher of ENR Southeast. However, a major slide in the nonbuilding sector caused Georgia’s overall monthly total for new contracts to drop 3%, for a $913.1 million total. The residential sector’s 10% gain resulted in an estimated $295.4 million total for the month. Nonresidential contracts totaled slightly more than $496.7 million. The nonbuilding sector, which includes infrastructure contracts, fell 46% compared to the same period of a year ago, registering $121 million in new work.For the
GUTIERREZ Joel Gutierrez , chief financial officer of recycling and demolition firm Cherry, Houston, was recently honored as a recipient of the Houston Business Journal’s 2011 Best CFO of the Year Awards. Recognized in the emerging private company category, he was cited for helping the firm improve profit margins and for taking advantage of approximately $2 million in state grants to lower air emissions. Michael P. Batuna has joined Fugro Consultants Inc., Dallas, as project manager in the pavements group. He will expand the firm’s services to the transportation industry in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Angela Floyd has been named
Article toolbar The companies on this year’s ENR Texas & Louisiana Top Design Firms listing shifted from last year, with AECOM Technology Corp. coming in first with $293.17 million in regional billings. The magazine ranks participating firms by the previous calendar or fiscal year for work performed in Texas and Louisiana. Photo courtesy of Chuck Smith, Charles Davis Smith Designing k-12 Corgan Associates, this year’s Top Design Firm, is the architect for the new Red Oak High School near Dallas. Cadence McShane Cos. completed the 40,000-sq-ft, three-story masonry and glass facility. Related Links: Top Designer of the Year Top Design
Article toolbar While the recession has brought pink slips at many design firms, Corgan Associates of Dallas says it has not laid off a single employee. While the firm has diversified by geography and market niches, it is still honing its reputation as a global leader in aviation and data center markets. Photo by Chuck Smith, Charles Davis Smith Career Oriented John A. Dubiski Career High School in Grand Prairie, Texas, boasts floor-to-ceiling windows. A palette of bronze hues and dark wood add to the school’s professional look. Related Links: Texas & Louisiana Top Design Firms Top Design Firms Main
Article toolbar Rising fuel costs and limited public school funding have heightened the interest of more than a few Texas school districts in greener, more energy-efficient schools. “They all want to save on energy costs,” says Susan Smith, vice president of Dallas-based design firm Corgan Associates. “It comes out of their operations and maintenance [budgets], so they are poised to save funds.” She adds that more school boards and constituents “want to see recycling and buildings that sustain themselves.” Photo courtesy of Corgan Associates Solar Power Charter Builders is constructing the net-zero Lady Bird Johnson Middle School. Corgan Associates designed
SnapShot June 13, 2011 Photographer: Slyworks Photography Submitted By: David Nordin, Satterfield & Pontikes, Houston The new 41,000-sq-ft Texas Dept. of Public Safety crime lab was constructed in northwest Houston by Satterfield & Pontikes Construction. Building information modeling was used to model and coordinate the structure and MEP components, which are complex. The advanced forensic equipment complements the advanced mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Kirksey Architecture designed the building. Photo Courtesy Of Kirksey
On The Scene June 13, 2011 Associated General Contractors of America The Associated General Contractors of America recently named Linbeck Group LLC, Houston, one of the nation’s safest construction companies. The association, which oversees the annual Construction Safety Excellence Awards, recognized Linbeck for the strength of its safety programs and overall safety performance during 2010. Linbeck requires safety training and remedial updates for all its employees, with participation from all subcontracting firms in safety stand-downs (one such, above, took place May 5 in Fort Worth at the Cook Children’s Medical Center project). Linbeck was also recognized for its development and
June 14–15, 2011 Rally for Roads attracted several hundred road workers from across the U.S. to the National Mall in Washington on May 25 in support of a multiyear surface transportation bill. Speakers, including Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), said the bill is needed to create tens of thousands of jobs. Sponsorship for the event came from industry associations and suppliers. Karl Watson, president of Cemex USA, Houston, and chair of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, told the crowd that investment in the nations infrastructure is vital to the economy. We urge Congress to pass a robust multiyear highway bill
Article toolbar In Atlanta green building circles these days, Ryan Gravel is a bit of a “rock star,” according to one co-worker at Perkins+Will. But he's not a “starchitect,” whose big reputation comes from signature buildings. Instead, he's an urban designer, and the mastermind behind the multibillion-dollar BeltLine project, the 22-mile collection of light rail, public mixed-use trails and parks that is now progressing in Atlanta. Image Courtesy Of Perkins+Will New HQ Perkins+Will designed its new LEED Platinum-rated Atlanta offices in 2010. The building features a radiant heating and cooling system. Related Links: Southeast Top Design Firms Main Rankings Southeast
RSS
