GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Christman Co. has been recognized for excellence in commercial construction with a 2010 Build Michigan Award for managing the building of the Secchia Center, the new headquarters for Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine.
The award, from the Associated General Contractors of Michigan, was presented Jan. 28 during the AGC of Michigan's annual meeting in Bay City.
"The Build Michigan Awards represent some of the most outstanding commercial construction projects completed in our state in any given year," AGC Chairperson Gary Benjamin said. "These projects contribute to our quality of life whether they are schools for our children, office buildings for our businesses or hospitals for our citizens."
The awards - which recognize projects in new construction, renovation, environmental, construction management and design-build categories - judge projects on a number of criteria: meeting the challenge of a difficult job, excellence in project management, innovation in construction techniques, environmental sensitivity and the contractor's contribution to the community.
The Secchia Center, a seven-story, 180,000-square-foot building atop a five-story parking deck along Grand Rapids' Michigan Street, serves as the medical education building and administrative headquarters for the College of Human Medicine.
With an expected Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Secchia Center uses sustainable finish materials and "smart" lighting, as well as photovoltaic glass in various areas to convert solar energy into electricity. The building also features water reduction technologies and was designed with a heat recovery system, radiant floor heat in the atrium and a ventilation system that detects carbon dioxide levels in the air and automatically adjusts for improved overall indoor air quality.
The Christman Company, founded in 1894 and based in Lansing, provides construction management, general contracting, facilities planning and skilled trade services. Other members of the Secchia Center project recognized included architect URS Corporation and designer Ellenzweig.
AGC of Michigan is a full-service construction trade association providing safety, education and training, legislative and regulatory advocacy, human resources, labor relations options and construction information.
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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.