Open Window School
Architect: Miller Hull Partnership
Engineers: The Greenbusch Group, CT Engineering, AES Associates, Bush Roed & Hitchings
Owner: Open Window School
ABC members: Artistic Drywall Textures; Evergreen Concrete Cutting; Kibble & Prentice, A USI Co.; Merit Mechanical; Premier Builders; Propel Insurance; Wrecking Ball Demolition
Building and reconfiguring space to complete part of the Open Window School's master plan is in itself noteworthy. Kirtley-Cole Associates completed the project while the school was fully operational with no recordable safety incidents in the 3,831 hours worked.
Their recognition is not just for the successful completion of the project but also for their community involvement.
Kirtley-Cole value-engineered savings of $342,000, a portion of which was used to bring the project within budget and allow construction to begin. The company also found creative ways to assist the school with fundraising, coordinated construction to accommodate the school's special events, and involved the students in the construction process whenever possible.
Kirtley-Cole teamed with the school to create two "experiences" that were auctioned at the annual fundraising event, raising $3,260.
In the Build-A-Bridge event, they worked with the framing subcontractor, Premier Builders, to mentor eight children in building a bridge over a bioswale. The children donned hard hats and safety glasses while pounding nails and signing their names on the bridge beams.
With the site work subcontractor, Iliad Inc., 10 children helped roll out the artificial turf on the new athletic field.
The bridge building was followed by a barbecue lunch prepared by Kirtley-Cole President Mark Lewinski. Extra safety measures were taken at all times to protect the children on-site during construction.