SupportingSuccess. Readmoreon page67 EpconHomeand Communities MichaudCooleyErickson (MCE) - 75Years ofEngineeringMastery! Stepintotheworld ofinnovationandprecisionwith MCE, a Minneapolis-basedpowerhousereshaping thelandscapeof mechanicalandelectrical engineeringservices. Readmoreonpage67 EngineeringSolutions CEroioclkesy n Michaud Stepinsidethepagestowitnessthefusion of artistryandcommunity-focuseddesign thatdefinestheessenceofthis architectural trailblazer withintheheartof NYC. Readmore onpage67 East| March2024
The Construction Source America The Construction Source America Welcome to the latest issue of The Construction Source, where we highlight the best of the best in building and building products across the United States. In this edition, we’ve shone our spotlight on a wide range of companies that have contributed to our environment, including community developers, homebuilders, architectural studios, and electrical and mechanical services providers of all shapes and sizes. This time out, we mostly (though not exclusively) highlighted companies that have made a particular big impact across the east coast. Palette Architecture is an example of an impactful architecture and design office, in their case based in New York City. Over the years, they have done a lot of work in historic districts in particular, where they have strived to deliver modern buildings while still honouring the heritage of the neighborhood. We caught up with founding partners John Sunwoo, and Jeff Wandersman, who walked us through some notable examples of projects that strike that balance. Epcon Communities Franchising, meanwhile, would be an example of a developer – in fact, they are one of the leading nationwide developers and franchise operators of active-adult homes and communities in the United States. They are a company that has been building homes for buyers aged 55-plus for over 35 years. They are also a company with one of the most unique and exciting franchise concepts on the market. For this issue, we spoke with the company’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales, who talked about what sets Epcon apart as both a developer and a franchise opportunity. Also in this issue is Michaud Cooley Erickson – a Minneapolis-based provider of mechanical and electrical Editor From The Dear Reader, engineering services, with a history in the region going back all the way to the 1940s. In the wake of their 75th anniversary, we examined how their company has remained a leader and innovator for so long, and we talked about their plans for 75 years to come. For those conversations – and so many more like them, with more established industry leaders and the industry leaders of the future – just keep reading. All the best, The Editorial Team
The Construction Source America The Construction Source America Engage with a vast audience of over 378,000 senior executive readers through The Construction Source America East. We take pride in providing an enticing platform that allows you to seamlessly share your message with those who matter most – your customers. Whether you’re aiming to showcase a new condo development, attract crucial financial investments for upcoming projects, or establish and strengthen brand recognition, we are fully prepared to assist you in achieving your goal! Contact our Group Publisher for feature opportunities. Make your mark in the construction industry. Jermaine Poulsen e: info@theconstructionsource.net The Costruction Source Canada 2201 - 250 Yonge St Toronto, Ontario M5B 2L7 E: info@theconstructionsource.net Executive Publisher Jermaine Poulsen COO Alexandra Box Editor in Chief Zach Janes National Director of Operations Tamara Breen Operations Managers Cathy Ditchburn Jacqueline Van Belois Business Development Managers Scott Carter Mary Ann Taylor Mike Turenne Director of Production Vicki Lee Digital Strategist Pranim Thapa Administration Manager Belyn Quijance-Dorero
The Construction Source America The Construction Source America EPS Your Trusted Electrical, Fiber Optics and Low Voltage Experts MICHAUD COOLEY ERICKSON Innovative Engineering, Impactful Experiences HYTEC CONSTRUCTION The Hy - Tec Way AMA PLAZA A Beacon of Sustainability PALETTE Design That Makes a Difference RA HILLER A Brave, New (Traditional) World CCI Made for Success ICHIGO Green Homes from East to West CITY OF CINCINNATI Cincy Sustainability A MORTON FRAME OF REFERENCE Lorem ipsum CHARLES CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Building A Better Future 3M Right Fall Protection Equipment EPCON HOMES AND COMMUNITIES Supporting Success AMERICA CONCRETE AND PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION A Conversation with Bill Davenport, V/P Communications 1888WOW1DAY! PAINTING One Day and Done IN THIS ISSUE MAY 2024
Electrical Production Services (EPS) is a family-oriented and family-run electrical, low voltage, and fiber optics contractor based in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Since its foundation, EPS has worked to craft a company culture that focuses on that which makes its business successful—the people.
EPS was originally established by Jim and Carla Struble in 1988. Prior to the opening of the business, Carla served in a corporate role at Chicago Cutlery and Jim worked as an electrician for another business. According to Mark Struble, their son and now Director of Business Development, it is at Jim Struble’s previous employment where he knew that he wanted to start a business which focused on its people. “He decided he wanted to go off and start his own business,” remarks Mark Struble. “He wasn’t pleasedhowthebusiness was run or how the people were treated. He thought he would like to try his own business and treat people the way they should be treated.” Jim and Carla Struble’s son naturally grew up in the business. While he worked in different businesses after graduating college, he felt himself transition back to EPS. “As time went on, I gravitated back towards EPS. There was something about it where it had been part of my life growing up and I had a hard time seeing it as not a part of my life. So, I transitioned into the EPS side,” notes Struble. From its historical background, it is not surprising that the company culture is one of family. EPS even refers to their DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST “Jim and Carla Struble’s son naturally grew up in the business. While he worked in different businesses after graduating college, he felt himself transition back to EPS.”
DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST team as the “EPS family.” To be part of that family requires a high level of integrity and belief in serving others first. EPS wants their employees to utilize empathy and foresight to serve clients in the present and future. According to Mark Struble, “From a general standpoint, the fact that we are a familyoriented culture helps people enjoy their work-life balance. They enjoy the feeling of importance. We try to make people feel like more than just a number and that they are important. To a certain extent, we allow them quite a bit of autonomy.” Such trust and freedom have allowed EPS to maintain some of the same employees for over twenty years. By remaining honest about their skills and developing trust with their clients, EPS has also managed to preserve significant longterm relationships. EPS has a few longstanding clients that have stayed with the company for nearly thirty years. EPS has managed to keep clients nearly as long as the history of its business. “Partnerships are important to us at EPS, whether it is trade suppliers or customers, we rely on our partners to achieve our goals asmuch as they rely on us. It is a two-way street. You build long-term relationships. Some our reps from our suppliers have been our reps for fifteen plus years. They get to know you and become part of the family as well,” Struble states. Their relationships with clients are also mirrored in their relationships to their communities. EPS encourages their team to become active members of the local community and to enact positive changes in the area. Alongside positive relationships with clients and the community, EPS strives to offer expert solutions to meet clients’ needs. In fact, they have managed to offer a variety of in-house services. Struble notes, “I think a lot of has to do with the markets that we are in. We can offer turnkey solutions in the power and tech industry, combining the expertise of all of our divisions in the company. We can produce a product that many cannot under one house.” Along with their turn-key solutions is the quality offered by EPS. Mark Struble attributes a great amount of success to the quality of their work, which is a result of client-company trust. “What keeps customers coming back is our quality and completeness,” adds Struble. “Our clients can trust us and trust we are experts in what we do. They know that when we partner with them that they can trust that we will have our homework done. We may not always be the winner on price, but we will always be complete, and we will not be making shortcuts. That is the main reason people come to us. It is trust.” Perhaps part of that ability to ensure high quality standards is the flexibility and likemindedness of the team at EPS. Struble notes that all team members will do what they can to help out others on the team, even if that means performing a job that is not quite in their job description. Struble references the company’s “heart for service” mindset. Desire to serve others is the key drive of every team member and at the heart of every project. The kinds of projects EPS undertakes has changed
significantly since its beginnings in the 1980s. Currently, EPS takes on projects in three key sectors—electrical, low voltage, and telecommunications. The size of the project is not a concern, as they work in smaller service projects tomulti-milliondollar construction projects. According to Mark Struble, EPS is currently working on a 170unit apartment facility. They also completed a project that consisted of a 200,000 square foot office and distribution facility. The list of projects demonstrates just the diverse size of projects that EPS can accomplish. “We are finishing up a high-end seniorlivingfacility,” listsStruble. “On the telecommunication side, we are working on a 26-mile fiber placement job. On the low volt side, we just finished up a project for a public transportation system in the twin cities. We upgraded their security cameras in all the light rail trains.” They also work in agricultural sectors, thermal imaging, lighting solutions, and DC Power. They truly offer a variety of services to help accomplish any project. The continued success and growth of EPS is related to their ability to examine growing sectors and then pursue avenues of expansion or development into those sectors. Mark Struble makes it clear that the business is always researching in order to offer the best services to clients in growing markets. DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST
Struble notes that EPS is “looking to continue growth in all aspects of our business. Times change and business sectors change, so we always analyze the difference sectors in our markets. We do our best to focus on whatever industry is hot and growing. Lately those industries are the fiber and technology. Multifamily construction is still hot too. We are in multifamily construction from the electrical and low voltage side. We are focusing on those markets. We should see continued growth through the next five years.” Currently, EPS works in areas of the central United States, like Illinois and Iowa. While they do not necessarily see themselves growing nationally, they will strive to continue to grow in services and clientele regionally. It seems as if EPS has no intention of stopping their growth anytime soon, as they have steadily continued to expand for the past 33 years. Regardless of the project or the needs, EPS makes it clear that any client will be treated like family. The company culture of service and family makes EPS able to withstand the test of time. This is a family that will continue to grow for generations to come. DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST
Michaud Cooley Erickson (MCE) is a company based in the Minneapolis area that provides mechanical and electrical engineering services to an array of market sectors. One of the impressive features of MCE is that it was founded in 1946, which means it is now celebrating its 75th year anniversary.
While MCE was established seventy-five years ago, it has managed to consistently develop and adapt to constantly changing technological and technical demands. Its number of employees has increased too, as it currently has over 100 engineers and professionals on staff. While the company itself is based in Minnesota, it has engineers that are registered in all fifty American states. With a diverse set of teams ready to help on any project, MCE offers a long list of services to clients. These include mechanical and electrical engineering, fire protection, technology systems, energy modeling, lighting design, laser scanning, and commissioning. Each team member has a wide understanding of their field and can offer serious knowledge and experience to make any project successful. Perhaps one aspect of MCE that makes it desirable to clients is its cross-disciplinarity. When given a project, MCE will form the best team to provide experience and in-depth knowledge that aligns with the project’s goals and needs. One of these knowledgeable team members is Lisa Chaput who serves as Senior Associate and oversees the lighting division. One aspect that Chaput finds appealing about Michaud is the ability to put function and aesthetics, as well as art and DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST “We like to have the projects that we feel we have the engineers to complete. We like the unique or hard-towork-on projects. They are projects that maybe aren’t always driven by the lowest fee, but they are more about having the skillset to work on the tougher stuff.”
DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST engineering, in dialogue. “Because I have an interior design background, as do other lighting people at Michaud, we understand the aesthetics of a space and how important those are. Because we work for an engineering firm, we also understand the system that has to deliver power and air to these spaces. Sometimes being the bridge between the two is interesting and helping those two groups understand each other and communicate together is always fun. I always say I certainly understand the aesthetics, but you have to realize the function too.” Such cross-disciplinarity and focus on the balance between aesthetics and function has allowed MCE to take on not only diverse projects but also particularly complex ones. Their projects range from the cultural to the medical. One cultural artifact MCE has been involved with is the lighting and ongoing preservation of the Cathedral of St. Paul. When looking at work in healthcare, they have created MEP systems for the Shakopee VA Clinic for example. These two seemingly disparate projects give a clear view of MCE’s dedication to art, design, and function working symbiotically. This symbiosis is just part of the reason why Chaput has stayed at Michaud for twenty years. “I like the technical aspect of working for an engineering firm,” Chaput notes. “Since I work in lighting design, I get to do what gives me the balance of aesthetics and function. There is a little art in lighting as well as the function of working with engineers, so the combination has been good.” These projects also present challengestheteamsatMichaud strive to overcome. The teams at MCE want to take on difficult projects because those projects lead to innovative solutions, creativity, and adaptability of skillsets. “We like to have the projects that we feel we have the engineers to complete. We like the unique or hard-to-work-on projects. They are projects that maybe aren’t always driven by the lowest fee, but they are more about having the skillset to work on the tougher stuff.” Aside from diversity in projects and skillsets, Michaud Cooley Erickson retains long-standing clients by fostering positive relationships and evoking active listening skills to strategize effectively about a project. They also bring historical knowledge to the table that perhaps other clients in the area may not have. Chaput adds, “We are listening to clients and understanding their needs. We are coming up with innovative approaches. It is about having a relationship with the client by listening, getting them what they need, and being around for them when the next project comes down the line. Maybe having historical knowledge of how they work, what they want in the facility, what has worked, and what hasn’t worked helps to bring that knowledge to the table for the next project.” In some projects, the company’s longevity offers the company significant leverage over competitors in the area. With seventy-five years of business in the area, it is likely that a client with an older building may have previously work with Michaud Cooley Erickson. History and previous knowledge of buildings in the area give MCE a competitive edge. History aside, MCE’s awards and quality of work speak for themselves. In 2018, MCE won the NAIOP Minnesota Award of Excellence in Hospitality, and the company was ranked the Best Mechanical Engineering Firm by Reader Rankings. Michaud has also won multiple awards for work done in the MSP International Airport. Michaud designed the infrastructure of Terminal 2 and introduced engineering solutions into the complex systems located in Terminal 1. As a result of such seamless and extensive involvement with the airport, Michaud is a proud Continuing Consultant at the MSP MAC. In this role, the team at MCE acts as an extension of experts readily available to the MAC Facilities Department. MCE has also won IES Illumination awards for their GE Vehicle Innovation Center and the Musical Instrument Museum. Despite winning three IES awards, Chaput stresses the importance of participating with peers rather than winning the awards. They have worked collaboratively with MCA facilities to “I like to show and participate in the Illumination awards. I want to be part of the lighting community here. I like to see other people’s projects as well. It’s not always about winning. It is good to participate,” says Chaput. When looking at the company during the COVID pandemic, MCE was not affected as significantly as other companies. Chaput mentions that it was clear that some market sectors were affected more significantly than others. In some projects, the pandemic helped to speed the completion of projects. “Some of the hospitality and improvementprojects lightened up,” reflects Chaput. “Michaud in general was able to plug along. We had a little restriction in employees. We shifted to work from home, which was seamless. There hasn’t been any major hiccups. In some cases, like roadways, it made our projects move along faster because there was less traffic and less people out and about. We were able to ride the wave and be successful in the workfrom-home environment.” With a seventy-five-year anniversary to commemorate, the pandemic was unable to stop progress at Michaud. When looking at future growth, Chaput seems to see a bright
DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST future ahead. “They are looking to increase capacity and increase markets that we are not as heavy in and continue to have a strong existing client-relationship base at the same time.” With a longstanding history, Michaud Cooley Erickson seems to remain resilient. Despite technological change and market change, MCE has moved forward with strong fortitude and adaptability. Resilience, diversity, and flexibility has allowed them to provide quality services for seventy-five years. Undoubtedly, they will be able to continually provide highquality services and maintain clientele for the next seventyfive years to come.
Hy-Tec Construction is a Minnesota-based general contractor with in-depth experience in the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. In all sectors, they are committed to delivering results that meet or exceed the highest standards. According to Mitch Feierabend, General Manager, everything that Hy-Tec does “starts and ends with craftsmanship.” The Hy-Tec Way
“We approach our work with the utmost passion, pride and dedication,” Mitch says. “Our goal is to be the best construction company in northcentral Minnesota.” Mitch is a fourth-generation builder – his father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all contractors before him, so he believes that building “was kind of in my blood.” When he was a teenager, he did odd jobs with his grandfather (including pouring concrete, pushing wheelbarrows around, and cleaning up job sites). Later on, he learned the carpentry trade from his dad. At 17-years-old he framed his first cabin. Hy-tec Construction was officially formed in 1989. Mitch started his career with the company working there in the summers as a labourer. After graduating from college with a degree in Construction Management, he joined full-time as a superintendent. He spent seven years in that role before becoming General Manager. In the decade since, Hy-Tec has evolved and expanded considerably. They went from a 30-man crew turning over $7 million a year, to a near-95-man crew doing roughly $40 million a year in volume. “We’ve grown immensely,” Mitch says, “and it’s all come from hard work and taking care of past clients.” DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST “We approach our work withtheutmostpassion, pride and dedication,” Mitch says. “Our goal is to be the best construction company in north-central Minnesota.”
DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST Today, Hy-Tec takes on a wide range of project types, everything from complex medical facilities and functional municipalbuildingstoexpansive manufacturing warehouses and custom lakeshore homes. The size and value of their projects also varies – they can take on churches, schools and hospitals valued at $20 million, but they’ll also show up and switch a couple door frames for an existing client. “Over the years, we’ve learned that we need to take care of the clients that take care of us,” Mitch says. “That’s the key to our success.” No matter whom the client is, or what they want built, Mitch believes they choose Hy-Tec for the same reason – their reliability. “We’ve been around for 32 years,” he says. “If we say we’re going to do something, we do it. If we give a price, we stick to it. We’ve proven ourselves. Customers know what they’re going to get when they work with Hy-Tec Construction.” Customers also know they will be getting a high quality of workmanship. Mitch claims that the “Hy-Tec way” is to deliver the “greatest amount of quality possible.” He says they can deliver that quality because of the calibre of their team – they hire only the highestskilled craftsman and work with only the most reliable of local subcontractors. When it comes to their direct team, they employ a lot more workers than most comparably sized construction companies. They have a concrete crew, they have a steel erection crew, and they have a carpentry crew. Most of those crew members have “construction in their blood,” just like Mitch. A lot of them are second or third generation builders. The company’s subcontractors, meanwhile, are similarly experienced, and they tend to share the same values as the direct team. “We have an amazing group of subcontractors and trades who know their stuff and who work hard,” Mitch says. “We know we can count on them.” ManyofHy-Tec’ssubcontractors have been working with the company for almost 30 years, since Hy-Tec was first formed, or close to it. The advantage of that longevity, Mitch believes, is mutual trust and dependability. The company is confident that if there is an issue on site, their trades will go the extra mile to resolve it. In return, their trades can rely on Hy-Tec to make their jobs easier and generally do right by them. “We know that if we need help from them, they’re going to take care of us,” Mitch says. “And if they need help from us, we’re going to take care of them. We approach all our projects as a team. Everything is done through teamwork.” Hy-Tec’s quality is also a result of their supervision. Mitch describes the company’s roster of superintendents as “the heartbeat of our projects.” “If they ever see something they don’t like, they’ll make sure it gets fixed before we go any further,” he adds. “They’re looking out for the best interests of our clients at all times. That’s the message they’re preaching every day.” “The thing we tell everybody that works for us is that ‘Our name is on every project,’” he says. “No matter what the warranty says, we’re married to that project for life. We want to make sure it comes out right, and we want to make sure it’s
going to last.” In addition to their construction team, Hy-Tec also directly employs an experienced architect along with a staff of highly-skilled designers. Those team members enable the company to offer a design-build service – which means that customers need only have one point of contact throughout the entire construction process. From start-to-finish, Hy-Tec can manage all aspects of a project, making for a “streamlined, seamless, and efficient” experience for the client,” Mitch says. “Our in-house architectural division can work with clients to develop the right design to fit their needs,” he explains. “From there, we can help with all facets of the building process, from acquiring permits to utility hook-ups to final inspections and follow-up. We take all the guesswork out of the equation for the owner.” Currently, Hy-Tec Construction has a wide variety of projects at various stages of development. Their list of recent work includes: a series of school remodels; cabins for local resorts; townhomes for a local developer; a hospital; clinics; and several high-end single residential homes. They are also working on a large mechanical shop for Anderson Brothers Construction, who are one of their longest-standing subcontractors. “We’re doing a lot of diverse stuff, and we expect that to continue into the future,” Mitch says. “We’re going to go where the economy takes us and where our clients take us. Whatever they need, we want to deliver it for them.” “We want to continue to grow with our clients,” he adds. “That’s how we’ve always done The greatest quality DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST
it. As the people we work for have grown their companies, we’ve had to grow our company to keep up. I see that continuing. I see us growing slowly in order to keep up with the economy and service our clients.” Moving forward, Hy-Tec Construction also wants to continue honouring their company name. Mitch says keeping up with the latest in construction technology has always been – and will remain – a priority. “We’re going to keep up with the times,” he concludes. “That means investing in construction management software. It means making sure our guys’ have the best tools in the field. We want to make sure we’re doing whatever we need to do in order to deliver the greatest quality possible.” That said, no matter how much the company grows – or how high-tech they get – Mitch believes it’s important to maintain the same “small town foundation that we’ve built the company on.” “Over the years, our customers have been our neighbors,” he explains. “We’ve gone to church with them on weekends, our kids are in school together, and our kids play sports together. That’s why pride plays such a role in what we do. We never want to lose that pride.” For more on Hy-Tec Construction, their range of residential, commercial, and architectural services, along with their past projects – and to get in touch with Mitch and his team – visit https://www.hytecconstruction.com/ DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST
Business World | March 2015 212 March 2015 | Business World 213 In the heart of Downtown Chicago, Illinois, the world-famous winds are shifting in the direction of sustainability, and leading the charge is AMA Plaza. Reaching heights of 695 feet, the 52-story skyscraper rests at a bend in the Chicago River, and has been a continued leader in energy efficiency since construction was completed in 1972.Designed by Mies van der Rohe, a pioneer of modern architecture, AMA Plaza was infused with sustainability from the time it was conceptualized, says General Manager Susan Hammer. “It was his last American building,” she says.”Because of his forward thinking, it was built with a lot of energy efficiencies already in it. It had double-pane windows, a heatrecovery machine; it was using the highest technology of the time. It even won the Energy Commission’s first award in 1972 for being very energy efficient.” As time moves forward, it is only natural that technology does too. As a result, this was a reality which Hammerhad to address with AMA Plaza, setting in motion a multi-year plan to modify and upgrade their systems in order to set a new standard of sustainability and energy efficiency. “As technology changed and new equipment and different ways of running large properties came into practice,” she explains. “It was pretty clear that the building had to evolve with those changing times.” DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - WEST
Business World | March 2015 214 March 2015 | Business World 215 Hammer explains that their plan was to retain the historic aesthetic of the architecture, while fully retrofitting the interiors to achieve their goal of being a leader in energy efficiency once again. “Our basic premise was that it’s going to be a historic building on the outside,” she says. “But on the inside it’s going to be like a brand new building. And that’s exactly what we got from the mechanical systems, to the elevator modernization, to the lighting in the common areas and the toilet rooms. Everything was as good, if not better, than a brand new building.” The strong focus on sustainability and seeking out energy efficiencies is not a new concept for AMA Plaza or its General Manager. In her more than 30 years of experience in property management, Hammer has worked at many buildings aroundChicago, affirming that attention to the environment is something of a necessity in commercial real estate. “This is not a new thing for us or for me personally for that matter,” she explains.”I think that part of my personality and my business sense, as well as the real estate industry in Chicago, is very environmentally conscious.” “It has evolved from simply recycling,” she continues. “To if you do not have an energy or sustainability consciousness, you’re not going to be able to compete in the real estate world.” ENERGY EFFICIENCY EFFORTS Improvements made to AMA Plazaranged frommechanical system and electrical distribution upgrades for the tenant office floors, to a redevelopment of the executive parking garage, a fire alarm retrofit, a new café and fitness center, and an elevator modernization. This also meant upgrading the ventilaBuilding Value Through Expert Facility Services Outsourcing non-core functions can lower your costs, increase efficiency and improve performance. Gain value for your building and business with ABM as your facility solutions partner. Call us today at 800-874-0780 for stand-alone or integrated facility services, always customized to your needs. ©2015 ABM Industries Inc. All Rights Reserved DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - WEST
Business World | March 2015 216 tion and fan systems according to Susan. “We switched our constant air volume system on most of the floors to a variable air volume system,” Hammersays.”This required modifying our fan systems to adapt to the changing air system.” Their efforts also included an extensive lighting retrofit program, with over 400 internal and external light fixtures replaced with LEDs, anddimming controls. Enlisting the help of ESD Global to complete these upgrades and modifications, Hammer says their long-standing relationship with ESD was beneficial, as the existing knowledge of the engineers made the process more manageable. “They were very instrumental in designing some of the mechanical systems we have,” Hammerexplains.”As well as recommending some of the new lighting systems we put in.” “There are some engineers there that were in place at the time the building was built,” she continues.”So they have a very intimate knowledge of the existing conditions.” March 2015 | Business World 217 ILLINOIS GOVENOR’S SUSTAINABILITY AWARD Presented by the Illinois Sustainability Technology Center, AMA Plaza was named winners of the 2014 Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award, for implementing innovative sustainability practices. Hammer credits the hard work ofher team and their dedication to not just upgrading, but finding better ways to operate the building. “It’s a reflection of the management team and the engineering team that’s in place at the building,” she says.”We’re always looking for ways to make our operation of the asset that we’re responsible for more marketable and less expensive to run.” “We all worked together,” saysHammer . “We all had a voice in the design and the implementation of each of the aspects of the project. We met weekly to go over everything. It was very important to have a close relationship between all parties involved, from consultants and project managers, to the people who actually implemented the work - the mechanical and construction companies that helped us with that.” DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - WEST
Business World | March 2015 218 Serving as a point of pride for AMA Plaza, the award lends itself to spotlighting additional sustainability efforts. “We’re the first multi-tenant building in the state to receive it,” Hammercontinues.”It really helped us to showcase everything that we’ve done, not only energy conservation, but we also set up a composting program.” Beyond showcasing their latest programs to reduce their environmental impact, the award shed light on AMA Plaza’s tenants, who take pride in setting up shop in a building which shares their commitment to the environment. “It helped us to outline our tenant and staff involvement, how everyone is involved,” explainsHammer .”Our tenants can show their clients the type of building they’ve chosen to lease space in.” In addition to award success, AMA Plaza was declared a Chicago Landmark in 2008, joining the ranks of such iconic structures as Wrigley Field, the Chicago Theater, and the Tribune Tower. Not only regarded as a landmark in the city, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the United States, which deems AMA Plaza a significant structure worthy of preservation. March 2015 | Business World 219 GETTING TENANTS INVOLVED As Hammer stated, ‘going green’ is a necessity to survive in the commercial real estate market in Chicago, and an integral aspect of attracting new tenants. In our society, environmental consciousness is a trait that clients value highly and as such, companies who seek their business must embody it in their practices. Offering a place of business that shares a commitment to continually striving towards efficiency, AMA Plaza also raises awareness for environment causes. “As tenants were getting more sophisticated in their energy and sustainability requirements,” Susan says of the increasing demand for energy efficiency.”We were able to respond to that, and it became very easy for us to do so because of how sophisticated our systems and programs were at that time.” “We also have been able to develop awareness with our other tenants,” she continues.”Whether it’s a law firm or other service oriented tenant or a technology based tenant. Now that they are using what the building has available as part of their corporate responsibility programs, it’s helped with not only their employment and recruitment needs, but also their clients.” RAISING AWARENESS Looking towards the future of AMA Plaza, the goal is to continue towards a path of susDECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - WEST
Business World | March 2015 220 March 2015 | Business World 221 tainability. A key part of that is educating their tenants and encouraging their involvement in the process. In addition, Hammer says they’re going to remain dedicated to seeking out the latest equipment and methods to reduce their impact on the environment “We’re providingmore information and education to our tenants, because the more they know, the more we feel they’ll participate,” she says.”Enhancing those tenant programs and education is a future goal.” “You just have to keep up to date on the newest technologies and the newest ways of doing things,” Hammer continues.”To keep yourself smart and aware of what’s going on so that you’re ready to implement any new things that come along. It’s not going to end, the possibilities are boundless. Through all of AMA Plaza’s success, the end goal remains the same: to make the world a better place. Hammer says that beyond the gratifying feeling of winning awards and being a leader in the Chicago real estate sector, they want to share their knowledge and support others in sustainability efforts. “We’re trying to make a difference in the world,” she says.”So you don’t keep everything to yourself. You want to make the world better, the environment better, and that’s a community effort because it affects everybody on the planet.” DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - WEST
Palette Architecture is a New York City-based architecture and design office that focuses on designing buildings and spaces that serve the communities they are located in, and that enhance the daily experiences of the people who use them. Design that makes a difference
Their offices’ diverse, youngergeneration team – led by founding partners Peter Miller, John Sunwoo, and Jeff Wandersman – believe in the power of architecture to make a positive impact, and that’s the kind of architecture they want to do. “We’re always looking for ways to contribute to the communities that we work in,” says Jeff Wandersman. “We’re interested in doing work that makes a difference in people’s lives.” “We like in working with clients who feel the same way, who have the same interests,” adds John Sunwoo. “We believe that exceptional design is the result of mutual respect and shared valueswith clients. It’s important to us to work with owners with whom he we can share a vision. Fortunately, we’ve been very lucky in that regard.” John, Jeff and Peter Miller met in their first architecture studio at Columbia University. After individually working several years at internationally renowned architecture offices in New York City, they decided to team up and form Palette Architecture in 2010. Early on, Palette Architecture took on a lot of smaller interior renovation projects as they built a name for themselves and grew their network of clients. Their goal, however, DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST “We’re always looking for ways to contribute to the communities that we work in,” says Jeff Wandersman. “We’re interestedindoingwork that makes a difference in people’s lives.”
DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST was to always get into larger and more complex projects – with the complexity being more important than the size. Today, about two-thirds of Palette’s work is residential, and the other third is commercial. Most of their projects take place in New York City. Almost all of their work is performed on behalf of repeat clients. John credits Palette’s history of customer loyalty to their office’s ability to put themselves in their clients’ shoes – “we really try to understand where they are coming from and what their larger goals are,” he says. “We definitely have our own deep beliefs in terms of what constitutes good design and what’s going to contribute to a neighborhood, or street, or community,” he explains, “but that doesn’t mean we are at odds with the owner’s goals. We use the owners’ priorities and values as touchstones throughout the development of any design.” “I think that attitude has helped us foster really strong relationships,” he adds. “We can be excited by the design and the architecture that we’re doing, but the owners also have to see that their goals are being attended to. That’s always been very important to us. That’s been one of our key values from the start.” “I think a lot of architects aren’t as responsive to owners because it can be challenging to get out of your fixed design process,” he says. “Being flexible can be difficult. That’s something we’ve gotten used to, however, because we’ve done it from the outset.” According to Jeff, their customers also appreciate that Palette can stay involved in projects from start-to-finish, and can offer their expert assistance every step of the way. For example, they can help with the permitting process – in New York City, that can often take a long time, but the team at Palette is familiar with the common pitfalls, they have good relationships with local regulators, and they can help make the process go smoother. Palettecanalsoget very involved in construction administration, and they have built some trusted relationships with industry-leading contractors. That involvement – and those relationships – can be extremely helpful to Palette’s clients. “I think that ability maybe sets us apart from some other firms,” Jeff says. “Construction is such a complicated endeavor, but having an architect that can stay involved, that can help interpret documents, and that can find solutions to problems that come up in the field – I think that’s really critical to the success of a project. When you have that, projects tend to come in on time and on budget. I think our clients recognize that, and they come back to us for that experience.”
In recent years, Palette has done a lot of work in historic districts, where they have strived to deliver modern buildings while still honouring the heritage of the neighbourhood. A recent project where they achieved that balance is the ‘100 Franklin Apartments’ – a 25,000 square foot project comprising two buildings in New York City’s Tribeca East Historic District. Located in the on an irregular shaped site created by the extension of Sixth Avenue in 1938, 100 Franklin is two triangular ground-up residential buildings constructed over ground-floor commercial space. The south building has six floors, including three full-floor units and a duplex penthouse with a private roof level. The north building has eight floors, including five-full floor units and a duplex penthouse. 100 Franklin The units in that project are a mix of two and three-bedrooms ranging from 1,400 to 3,700 square feet. Each unit is a fullfloor and is accessed directly from the elevator. Layouts were designed “to maximize the efficiency and open feeling of the triangular layouts,” Jeff says. Large windows and light tone wood flooring were selected “to maximize the sense of light and airiness of the units.” According to Jeff, the building “marries old and new.” It features a hand-laid brick façade with classically inspired masonry combined with modern architectural detail. The façade features a mixture of Danish hand-fired and large Italian wood-framed windows. The hand-laid brick is deployed expressively around entry points, windows, and points where the buildings merge together. “These details at times make the structure feel weighty and grounded, while from other perspectives it is light and dematerializes,” Jeff says. The client on 100 Franklin was DDG Partners – they also acted as designer, developer, and contractor for the project. Palette Architecture was brought in as the architect of record. Jeff describes their relationship with the team at DDG as “extremely positive.” “Everyone on that project was working together towards a common goal,” he says. “Everyone was aligned in their vision. Everyone worked together seamlessly. I think that shows in the result.” John and Jeff were particularly proud of that project because of howmuch it both “took from” and “gave to” the neighborhood. By ‘took from,’ they mean that it nicely fit within the existing character of the community and the street front. By ‘gave to,’ they are referring to how it enhances the street by being so visually interesting and dynamic. “It fit in with the neighborhood and it contributed to the neighborhood,” John says. “That’s what we try to achieve with every project.” DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST
An even more recent project that Palette is particularly proud of is 23 Grand Street in SoHo. That didn’t take place in a historic district, but it did involve modernizing an existing building – specifically, it involved adding to a ground floor restaurant and renovating a 23-storey, 100-room hotel. The original building at that address was actually not that old, relatively – it had only been there somewhere between 15 and 20 years, but it had been designed in a somewhat brutalist style. About three years ago, it was purchased by a developer who previously had been mostly active in the retail and commercial spaces, but who were interested in this opportunity to do hospitality. They wanted to rebrand the space and make it their own, and they brought in Palette to help. 23 Grand Street DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST
For more on Palette Architecture, their approach, their staff, and their past projects – and to get in touch with John, Jeff and their team – visit https://palettearch.com/ In extending the restaurant and renovating the hotel, Palette incorporated a lot more contemporary materials and they designed to a more modern hospitality style. The result, when contrasted with the “rough concrete” of the existing building, made for a “really nice, rich environment,” John says. “We think it came out very nicely,” he says. “We were very happy, and the owner was very happy. Everybody’s objectives were achieved.” Moving forward, the goal of Palette is to continue achieving thosedual objectives. Theywant to keep designing buildings that contribute to the communities they are located in, and they want to continue satisfying clients by helping them meet their commercial needs and goals. In addition, the team at Palette is interested in doing more affordable housing. They have already dipped their toes into that sector – their first affordable housing project started construction in the summer – but they want to dive in more fully, as they see that as one of the best ways to make a positive impact in their communities. “There’s a lot of need for affordable housing in the city,” Jeff says. “Especially after going through what we all went through in the last couple years. We think it’s more important than ever that people are able to find stable housing situations. We’re interested in working with the city and with local developers to help make that happen.” Palette also wants to do more work in the education sector, particularly in early education. Much like affordable housing, they already have some projects in the works, but they hope to do a lot more in the near future. “We want to be able to contribute more to New York City and to the communities our projects are in,” John concludes. “We want to find more ways to make a difference with our architecture.” DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST
DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST 2 | R. A. Hiller Company The goods and services and the means by which they’re made and distributed may have changed through the years, but the intangibles like reliability, dependability and quality have not. And that, in the estimation of Ed Good, is what’s kept the R.A. Hiller Company in good stead with its customers and employees over 60-plus years since its humble beginnings in western Pennsylvania. “It’s really like a family-first environment here,” said Good, an 18-year company veteran who’s now the sales manager for Hiller’s business. “Everybody understands that you have to work to make money, but family is very important and that’s carried over. It’s the type of company where as long as you take care of what you’re responsible for and you do your job, it’s a very fair place to work.” The company was founded in 1950 by its namesake, Ralph A. Hiller, as an industrial distribution entity that sold pneumatic and hydraulic components to the industrial sector in its home territory. It evolved to work within the nuclear power industry in the late 1960s by designing custom linear actuators for safety related applications, which focused on main steam R. A. Hiller Company | 3 isolation valves and main feedwater valves within a nuclear power plant. The business is still an industrial distribution company with a western Pennsylvania customer base that these days stretches into northern Ohio and West Virginia. It’s also added a manufacturing component that’s an important offshoot of the company that acquired Hiller in 2010, UK-based Rotork. Hiller is considered a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rotork, which employs 2,300 worldwide and reported a net profit of nearly 90 million pounds in 2012. “It’s the same business model, same distribution territory, same customers,” Good said. “It’s just more of a global presence now in the nuclear market.” Hiller’s operations come out of a single building in Export, Pa. – about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh – that houses full manufacturing capabilities, a weld shop and a paint booth, as well as engineering, procurement, project management functions and support for the sales staff. Forty-five employees work at the facility, a total that’s been boosted by about 10 over the last few years, Good said. The acquisition prompted a “more structured” approach than had been the case pre-
DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST 4 | R. A. Hiller Company viously, he said. “We were run as a typical privately held mom and pop shop,” he said. “Now we follow more of a corporate structure where we have a management team in place. A general manager, then an executive management team, then supervisory roles and then the employees, the rank and file.” The affiliation with Rotork has kickstarted an ambitious growth plan that is anticipated to double the company’s revenue within five years. The would-be drivers of the growth are the nuclear market and product development. Some new custom actuators are in the development stages now and should be released within the next few years with significant revenue impact. And while the company still derives 60 percent of its overall revenue from its roots as a distribution enterprise, “the 40 percent (that comes from product manufacturing),” in Good’s estimation, “is becoming a lot more important.” “It’s a core focus of the business,” he said. Those products are being sold on the plant level at nuclear facilities across the United States, along with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) valve makers. Hiller R. A. Hiller Company | 5
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