Last updated on May 22nd, 2024 at 05:08 am
A vast collection of books is what most people think of when they think of libraries. And despite what you might have heard about the impact of internet search engines and online book stores, those big collections of books are still popular in a lot of American neighborhoods, and the people manning your local library reference desk have a difficult time keeping up with the demand for their digital information navigating skills.
In fact, libraries have actually expanded their role in our society in this new digital age, and they’ve done so despite facing the major funding difficulties compounded by the misperception that they aren’t needed anymore. Many public libraries offer robust access to the internet and house robust collections of film and games. University libraries, of course, present infrastructure challenges unique to university culture. The study spaces need to be peaceful and inviting, and a university’s increasingly complex research tools need to be housed in a way that they can be well-maintained and reliable. And major research libraries often house archives or special collections that need to be temperature controlled and might even require advanced security to safeguard invaluable, irreplaceable manuscripts and artifacts. And increasingly libraries operate as public venues for educational activities and artistic performances.
The best library buildings are, in other words, physical reflections of the communities they serve. The American Library Association (ALA) has repeatedly recognized the importance of the physical infrastructure of libraries in the pages of its various magazines. The best contractors are capable of building these libraries combining inspiring internal space, good functionality, and beautiful architecture.
We looked at contractors across America, searching for firms that had completed impressive libraries. This list of fifty firms, with a representative in each state, is the result. Some firms have affiliations with industry organizations like the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), as well as certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Others have been featured in publications like Elle Decor, Engineering News-Record (ENR), and the Business Journal. Besides affiliations and features within industry publications, the best firms have a collection of awards like ABC’s Excellence in Construction awards, and AIA and ENR’s Contractor of the Year Award. Rankings within the ENR and LEED Certifications were also considered.
If you’re a city council member charged with building a new branch library, or a university administrator concerned about housing your special collections archive, or just a casual lover of books, you’ll find something interesting on this list, and it might just be in your home state.
If you are thinking about building a library, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
Choose your state
ALABAMA
Trawick Contractors Inc.
4740 Powell Ave., Birmingham, AL 35222
Trawick Contractors Inc. has evolved since its establishment in 1954. In the 63 years of its existence, it has built a lot of homes and renovated a lot of fire damaged buildings. By 1973, it thrived on renovating military installations throughout the U.S. while also rebuilding houses in and working on municipal projects in its hometown of Birmingham. In 1983, founder Dan Trawick formed a partnership with Clyde Pearce and added HVAC to its services.
Currently, the firm is headed by firm president Ginny Farley. Farley has completed the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)’s Advancement Management Program and has 29 years of experience as a project manager and estimator. A graduate of Hollins University, Farley has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and Economics.
The firm has completed a number of renovations, but its most notable work was completed for Emmet O’Neal Library, a building with a striking, red brick facade and large, dark windows that provide natural lighting.
ALASKA
Cornerstone General Contractors
4040 B St. Suite #200, Anchorage, AK 99503
Cornerstone General Contractors specialize in collaborative project delivery methods. These methods are usually employed for new commercial construction and for precision renovations of existing facilities. In the first 20 years of the firm’s existence, the firm completed a variety of landmark projects in the education, government, healthcare, housing, and industrial sectors. These projects were completed in Anchorage and in remote communities from southeast to the Kenai Peninsula to Kodiak Island and the far west coast of Alaska.
A great example of Kodiak’s work is the Kodiak Public Library. A 16,000 square foot community library, it was built in collaboration with the local firm MRV Architects. The single-story design was primarily driven by site proportions and the location of existing structures. When it comes to sustainable features, the library has an exterior of insulated vision glass in thermally broken frames. The windows increase visibility, but these frames also minimize solar heat gain. The interior meanwhile features Sitka spruce logs—remnants of the old trees that once dotted the site—notched to wrap around structural steel columns.
In 2019, the firm was awarded it’s eighth consecutive Alaska Governor’s Safety Award of Excellence, highlighting their dedication to safety as a company-wide virtue. Shortly after, Cornerstone took national first place in the Willis Towers Watson Construction Safety Excellence Awards for the Associated General Contractors of America. These awards represent just a sample of the collection of wins earned since 1998.
ARIZONA
Redden Construction
4131 East Wood Street, Phoenix, AZ 85040
Redden Construction is best known for its work on Scottsdale’s Arabian Library, a modern, 6,600 square foot library set in Arizona’s desert canyons. Designed by local architect firm Richärd+bauer, this LEED-certified library keeps its collection protected from Arizona’s harsh landscape and is organized around a central courtyard. The library itself can be entered through a slot canyon of steel and glass. Its walls meanwhile are made from weathered steel plates that reflect the terra cotta walls that lean overhead and fall away from the entry path and into the open sky. These walls also support the earth and stone roof dotted with native plants and stones from the site. This project was featured in e-Architect. In 2009, it was nominated by the American Institute of Architects (AIA)’s for Contractor of the Year, but it’s most notable win is the 2019 National Honor award from the AIA.
In addition to the Arabian Library, Redden construction performs 75% of its work on occupied campuses, most of it from repeat clients. Founded in 1952 by father and son Leonard and Mel Redden, Redden Construction is currently managed by firm president Tom Horvath.
ARKANSAS
East Harding
2230 Cottondale Ln. Suite #3, Little Rock, AR 72202
East Harding Construction was established in 1974 by founders Bob East and Tom Harding. Through its 43 year history, the firm was recognized by Business Insider and Elle Decor for its work on the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library and Learning Center. The library was featured in Business Insider’s list of the most beautiful new libraries in America, and in Elle Decor’s list of the 50 best libraries in the U.S. The building was built in 2013 with Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects. In addition to functioning as a library, it also has a performance space, a greenhouse with a vegetable garden, and an arboretum.
Eye-catching projects such as this library are the result of the firm’s two principals who have over 40 years of experience in the industry. Co-founder Bob East has been active in the construction industry as a general contractor, owner, and developer. He has been president of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Currently, he is on the board of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership and the Board of the Arkansas Workforce Commission. Co-founder, Tom Harding meanwhile also supported the community through ABC’s National Board of Directors.
CALIFORNIA
Overaa
200 Parr Blvd., Richmond, CA 94801
Carl Overaa’s built a small construction business into what is now one of the top nationally and regionally recognized contractors, recognized by a myriad of awards for the quality of its outstanding work. In 2018, it took the 29th rank on the San Francisco Business Times list of Largest Greater Bay Area Contractors, the 21st rank for Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Largest General Contractor list, and was ranked #267 in Engineering News-Record (ENR)’s list of Top 400 Contractors. Awards such as these show the firm’s capabilities as a team, but Overaa’s current CEO Jerry Overaa also deserves credit. In 2015, ENR awarded Jerry Overaa the Legacy Award—an award annually given to individuals who achieved a lifetime of service, not just to the architecture, engineering, and construction profession, but to the community as well.
One of the firm’s most notable library projects is the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. This craftsman-style library is a three-story, 41,000 square-feet building constructed of stone and wood. The facility houses 117,000 books, a community hall with a 161-seat capacity, a performance platform, and an outdoor amphitheater that includes cast-in-place concrete seating. During the evening, the amphitheater can be used for entertainment purposes thanks to the exterior light and sound equipment. During the daytime, it functions as a reading area.
COLORADO
Hensel Phelps
420 Sixth Ave., Greeley, CO 80631
Hensel Phelps is best known for its wide-ranging capability: the firm’s experienced, well-educated team has completed medical facilities, office parks, and airport terminals. Leading that team is CEO Michael J. Choutka. Before joining the firm in 1991, Choutka graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Construction Management Engineering. For more than 25 years, he served on many of the industry’s professional boards. In 2011, he was chairman of the ABC Central Florida Chapter, and he holds a position on the board of directors for the ACE Mentor Program of America. He is also a member of the Construction Industry Round Table.
With this experienced CEO and its capable team, it’s no surprise that the firm has experienced success. Publications like New Atlas and Austin Business Journal have featured the firm. Time named the Austin Central Library one of the World’s Greatest Places. And the four-story History Colorado Center (HCC) includes educational and community spaces, administrative offices, collections management and storage, the offices of the State Archeologist, and the Stephen H. Hart Library. The HCC won the AGC’s ACE Award for the Best Building project over $70 million.
CONNECTICUT
KBE Building
76 Batterson Park Rd., Farmington, CT 06032
According to ENR, KBE Building is one of the nation’s top 400 commercial construction companies. KBE Building currently has an annual $300 million in revenue and the reputation of expect from a capable, award-winning firm. Over a 25 year period, it held rankings on ENR’’s list of Top 400 contractors, won 14 Excellence in Construction awards from the ABC, 15 Platinum STEP (Safety Training and Evaluation Process) Awards, and three Project of the Year awards from the International Partnering Institute. One of these award-winning projects is Connecticut College’s Charles E. Shain Library which claimed ENR’s Renovation/Restoration Award of Merit. Built in collaboration with architect Schwartz Silver Associates, its most notable feature is the open floor plates designed to maximize efficiency, holding books first and hosting people second. Other features include an advanced instructional technology center, ten collaboration rooms with whiteboard walls and LCD panels, two new reading rooms, a cafe on the first floor, and an expanded communication and electrical distribution infrastructure.
DELAWARE
Edis Company
110 S. Poplar St. Suite #400, Wilmington, DE 19801
Edis Company started off as a masonry contractor in 1908. By the early 1970s, the firm was providing general contracting services. Eventually, it started collecting industry awards, including the Delaware Contractors Association (DCA)’s 2017 Construction Excellence Award for renovation work on Archemere Academy’s St. Norbert Hall. The Wilmington Library is another notable library project. Built with Moeckel Carbonell Associates Inc., this 55,000 square foot neoclassical building looks a bit like a museum at first glance. Edis Company also has an experienced CEO at the helm. Brian DiSabatino has been working in the company since 1987 and has worked in multiple areas of the company. In addition to working as a co-founder of financial institutions, DiSabatino worked as an advisor for multi-national corporations and is well-versed in transforming strategies into facility design and construction.
FLORIDA
Willis Smith Construction
5001 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. N. Sarasota, FL 34240
Willis Smith Construction focuses on design-build and construction management. Founded in 1972, this firm is the largest locally owned construction firm in Southwest Florida. In its 46 years of existence, it has become a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the American Society for HealthCare Engineering (ASHE), the Florida Hospital Engineers Association (FHEA), the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange (GCBX), the Science and Environment Council (SEC), and the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC). Aside from its different affiliations, it was also featured in industry publications like Business Observer and Architect Magazine where its work on the Kotler-Coville Glass Pavilion was showcased. The firm doesn’t fall short when it comes to awards either. Most recently it won SRQ Magazine’s 2017 Gold Award for Building of the Year and the Herald-Tribune Media Group named it one of the Best Places to Work. In 2016, it was named Outstanding Green Business and in the previous year was awarded the U.S.GBC’s 2015 LEEDership Award for Tibbals II-Learning Center which was named Outstanding Project of the Year.
When it comes to building libraries, its most notable work is the Gulf Gate Library, a 25,000 square foot, two-story, modern facility that replaced the original structure on Curtiss Avenue.
GEORGIA
Choate Construction
8200 Roberts Dr. Suite #600, Atlanta, GA 30350
Established in 1989, Choate Construction started off as a company headquartered in a basement with only a handful of employees. Now, the firm has over 400 full-time professionals. Though it’s a large company, Choate Construction maintains a management style that allows for complete access between executive management and field employees. This collaborative energy could be the root of the firm’s awards, which include two 2018 first place AGC “Build GA” awards from the AGC of Georgia. In the previous year, ENR selected it as Southeast Contractor of the year.
And the firm builds impressive libraries. One of its most notable works, Penn Center’s St. Helena Branch Library, was named the most beautiful library in South Carolina by the website TechInsider. It was built to earn a LEED silver certification, and it includes many sustainable elements including recycled materials, recycled construction, and natural lighting. Its stucco exterior has batten siding accents, an aluminum curtain wall, and a storefront. It has a modified-bituminous roof with standing seam metal panels and structural steel “trees” that support the exposed roof structure.
Another noteworthy project is the Live Oak Public Library found in Georgia. Like the Helena Branch Library, it was built to achieve a LEED silver certification. Its green features include large glazed facades to provide natural lighting and extended views.
HAWAII
Nan Inc.
636 Laumaka St., Honolulu, HI 96819
Site engineering, renovation, and new construction: for over 25 years, Nan Inc. has successfully built over 2,600 of these projects that represent approximately $3 billion of revenue. Since Nan Chul Shin established it in 1999, the firm has also held consistent rankings in Building Industry Magazine which named it one of Hawaii’s top 25 contractors. By 2015, it won awards that include Hawaii Historic Foundation’s Historic Preservation award, the GCA of Hawaii’s GCA Excellence award, and the USGBC’s LEED Gold award.
Deep-rooted principles such as integrity, safety, quality, and dedication to customer service are the main reasons for this firm’s success, but Nan Inc.’s current president, Fooney Freestone, is also a factor. Working with the company, Freestone has done numerous high visibility projects for historical preservation/renovations for Building 250 at Makalapa, and Buildings 278 and 287 of the Marine Barracks at Pearl Harbor.
Another great example of the firm’s projects is the Aiea Public Library. The project included top to bottom work. From the large windows granting natural light, to the plumbing and electric work, Nan Inc. was responsible for the entire project.
IDAHO
ESI
3330 E. Louise Dr. Suite #300, Meridian, ID 83642
Managed by CEO Tom Hill, ESI is licensed to work as a general contractor and construction manager in 44 states. Since its establishment in 1973, ESI has been known for constructing retail, grocery, distribution centers, government, healthcare, school/university, banking, church/non-profit, culture, office building, theater, performing arts, and large retail center projects.
In Nampa, the firm built the Nampa Library Square, a two-acre mixed-use block in the historic downtown district of Nampa where the Nampa Public Library rests. A 62,000 square foot building, it is nearly three times the size of the previous facility and has several multipurpose meeting rooms, small study rooms, and a comfortable space where visitors can lounge and read. Its exterior meanwhile has open spaces with glass walls, a brick exterior and a terrace capable of holding 160 people.
ILLINOIS
Wight and Co.
211 North Clinton St. Suite #3N, Chicago, IL 60661
For more than 75 years, Wight and Co. has been known as a crafter of enduring buildings and spaces. The firm even worked with internationally acclaimed architecture firm Lohan Anderson to form a combination of design and technological innovation. One great example of Wight and Co’s stunning projects is Chicago’s iconic Chinatown Branch Library. Designed to achieve LEED gold status, this library features numerous sustainable elements. High-performance glass curtains maximize the visibility for patrons and passersby while serving as an extension of Chinatown’s nightlife thanks to its glowing lantern-like exterior. Other than functioning as the neighborhood’s educational hub, it is also a place for civic and social gathering, so its interior includes a community meeting area, a children’s zone, and a connected atrium that references a traditional Chinese courtyard.
Expectedly, this beautiful project gained awards in 2015 and 2016. These include the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)’s 2015 Excellence in Engineering Award, Architect’s Newspaper’s Building of the Year award, the AIA, and the American Library Association (ALA)’s 2016 Library Building award. In the same year, the Chicago Building Congress also named it a 2016 Merit Award Finalist.
In addition to such awards, the firm was also featured in publications like the Chicago Tribune, the Daily Herald, ENR Midwest, and Elle Decor which named the Chicago Branch Library as one of the best libraries in the U.S. The firm also won numerous awards through the years. Most recently, it won the AIA Northeast Illinois’ chapter’s Interior Architecture Award.
INDIANA
Gough Inc.
2200 E. 88th Dr., Merrillville, IN 46410
Gough Inc. was established by Raymond Gough in 1955 as a construction management and general contracting firm. It also has a membership in the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA). With over four decades of experience, it specializes in masonry, interiors, site development, and construction management. The firm serves Northwest Indiana, Illinois, and Southern Michigan. Usually, these services are completed for industrial, institutional, and commercial construction projects like residential homes for the Lake Erie Land Company where the firm gained enough experience to handle all aspects of commercial and residential development.
Other notable projects include institutional work like the Hammond Library. Costing $9,523,115, this project had Gough Inc. work as its general contractor.
IOWA
Knutson Construction
2351 Scott Blvd. SE, Iowa City, IA 52240
Knutson Construction has shaped its community. The firm was established in 1911 and currently has CEO Steve Curry at the lead to help provide its clients with different services which include design-build, construction management, pre-construction services, sustainability, and Building Information Modeling. Knutson has provided these services for virtually every size and type of facility, including libraries. One such project is Cedar Rapids Public Library. Designed by OPN Architects, this 95,000 square foot library replaced the previous structure, which was destroyed by flooding. It features a coffee shop, a 20,000 square foot green roof, a 200-seat auditorium, and an urban plaza showcasing local art.
While the library evidently puts entertainment and relaxation first, convenience plays a big part in what makes it unique. If there’s not enough time to stay in the library or the coffee shop, there’s also a covered drive that accesses both the coffee shop pick-up window and the drive-thru book return. The project was featured in Business Insider where it was included on the list of The Most Beautiful Library Buildings in America.
KANSAS
Harmon Construction
18989 W 158th St., Olathe, KS 66062
Harmon Construction was founded in 1987 by current president Timothy Harmon and is best known as a general contracting firm with a long list of repeat clients. Harmon Construction has been ranked on both The Kansas City Star and KC Business Journal’s list of Top 25 commercial contractors. The latter publication included the firm on the list of 50 Fastest Growing Companies in KC as well. These rankings were gained by the firm’s capacity to build various buildings in the commercial, industrial, healthcare, senior living, and religious sectors. One of the firm’s most notable library projects is the Miller Nichols UMKC Library where plenty of reading space and study areas have been provided.
KENTUCKY
Calhoun Constructs
3307 Gilmore Industrial Blvd., Louisville, KY 40213
Established in 2012, Calhoun Constructs offers construction management, facility maintenance, pre-construction, self-perform, and trade contracting. Though Calhoun Constructs was only recently established, it has been included in Louisville Business First’s 2018 Fast 50 and was named one of the best places to work in Greater Louisville. Current president Jim Hinshaw has been the project/operations manager for over 20 years, and he has overseen several construction projects from hundred-million dollar sports venues to luxury apartment complexes. With an ability to create a team and maximize its abilities, he currently manages 125 employees who are spread over more than 15 projects, with a total of more than $100 million works in progress.
One of the firm’s most notable projects is the University of Kentucky’s William T. Young Library where the firm served as a general contractor who upgraded and re-purposed the library space in the lower level and did a complete remodel of the first floor’s office area.
The William T. Young library serves as the university’s central library for the social sciences, humanities, and life science collections, but it also acts as a federal depository and a public library for the state.
LOUISIANA
Ryan Gootee General Contractors
1100 Ridgewood Dr., Metairie, LA 70001
Ryan Gootee General Contractors was established in 2004. Though its establishment is recent, founder Ryan Gootee has a background in construction that spans four generations. Gootee began his career working on projects at his father’s company. Eventually, his growing ability and experience expanded into Ryan Gootee General Contractors, allowing the firm the ability to create various buildings, including educational facilities, athletic complexes, restaurants, condominiums, apartments, offices, retail developments, historical renovations and restorations for the greater New Orleans area.
A great example of these projects is a relocation project for the Brother Martin High School Library. This library used to be on the first floor, but to make room for a kitchen and cafeteria expansion, it was relocated to the second floor and had structural steel installed on the first-floor ceiling to support the library’s increased load. The firm is highly regarded by ENR. In 2018, the firm’s work on Harrah’s Hotel New Orleans’s Interior Design/Tenant Improvement project was recognized with the Award of Merit. In the same year, City Business included it in the year’s Excellence in Construction and Real Estate Class where it was recognized as a general contractor that created a positive impact in the area of investment, jobs created and potential impact. Aside from this recognition, the firm also has affiliations with several organizations which include AIA NEW Orleans, AGC, the Construction Financial Management Association, the USGBC, the Construction Industry Advisory Council, and the Society for Marketing Professional Services.
MAINE
Ledgewood Construction
27 Main St., South Portland, ME 04106
Ledgewood Construction is most recognized for its work on the Portland Public Library. Designed by Scott Simons architects, this library was featured in Elle Decor’s list of 50 Best Libraries in America for its hip, modern architecture which stands out against the Victorian styled buildings that dominate the surrounding neighborhood. Ledgewood construction stepped in as construction manager for the 43,400 square foot addition and renovation. This work included extensive renovation to the main and lower levels, an expansion of the Rines Auditorium, the construction of a new cafe and reading area, a complete exterior redesign, and infrastructure upgrades. Now, the library has double-height glass panels that not only visually connect the Brutalist structure to Monument Square but also invites more natural light into the space. To reduce energy costs, a solar chimney draws heat from the sun up and into the HVAC system.
Projects like this one are the result of four decades of experience. Since its establishment in 1978, Ledgewood Construction has been doing preconstruction, construction management, general contracting, historic preservation, design-build, and sustainable construction. The firm is headed by CEO Peter Bernard. He graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology with a Building Construction Technology degree which allowed the firm to adopt leading-edge technology. This ability combined, with over 30 years of experience from the construction industry, helps Ledgewood Construction keep its reputation as one of the community’s premier general contractors.
MARYLAND
Hess Construction
804 West Diamond Ave. Suite #200, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
For over a century, the Hess family has been a recognized name in the construction industry as a firm capable of quality craftsmanship and customer service. In 1978, Hess Construction company was established. Today, the firm is led by Andrew Hess and is known as the #1 regional provider of educational construction services. It has delivered more than 450 new and renovated facilities across the Baltimore/Washington Metropolitan region.
Proving the firm’s capabilities, it has numerous awards which include the DC Metropolitan Subcontractor’s Association’s Outstanding General Building Contractor award and the Washington Minority Contractors Association’s Contractor of the Year Award. The majority of the firm’s awards also come from its school projects. A great example of these award-winning creations is Morgan State University’s Earl S. Richardson Library. A four-story stone building with glass walls that span half of the building to provide more natural light, this 220,000 square foot library sits in the center of campus and has lounges for open learning, meeting rooms, classrooms, and computer labs.
MASSACHUSETTS
Nauset
10 Kearney Rd. Suite #307, Needham, MA 02494
Established in 2004, Nauset performs preconstruction, construction management, and design-build services for the commercial, education, government, hospitality, industrial, medical, multi-unit, residential, retail, and senior living sectors. Nauset is a member of numerous industry organizations including the ABC, the Boston Preservation Alliance (BPA), the Boston Society of Architects (BSA), and the USGBC. In 2018, it was also recognized by ENR’s 2018 list of Top New England Contractors and won Boston Real Estate Times’s 2018 Real Estate Excellence Awards for Construction Company of The Year.
The firm is capable of creating state of the art buildings that exude unique beauty. One of these projects is a notable library project called the Eastham Public Library. A project that required the preservation/restoration of its historic one-room library while integrating it into the design of the new library building, this library’s ground-up construction earned a LEED Gold certification and the 2018 AIA/ALA Library Building Award.
MICHIGAN
Pioneer Inc.
550 Kirtland St. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
To become a well-established firm, one must be able to create different projects. Pioneer Inc. is one of those well-established and highly experienced firms. Established in 1933, the firm has built numerous facilities which include commercial, retail, residential, religious, and educational buildings. A great example of these buildings is the GVSU Mary Idema Pew Library. The new library was built to satisfy the USGBC’s LEED Platinum specifications and provides approximately 1,500 seats for student study, 30 group study rooms, offices, and support areas for faculty and staff. There is also space for 150,000 books on open shelves and 600,000 books on an automated storage/retrieval system.
With the myriad of projects and its long years of experience, it’s only expected that Pioneer Inc. has collected a long list of awards with the majority of them coming from the AIA, ENR, and ABC. The firm also has a number of certifications from the USGBC. One of its most recent awards came in 2015 when ENR included it on its list of the Top 400 Contractors. Currently, the firm is managed by president and CEO Tim Schowalter. Involved with construction administration since 1995, Schowalter has extensive construction experience combined with industry knowledge and a unique approach to leadership.
MINNESOTA
Adolfson and Peterson Construction
5500 Wayzata Blvd. Suite #600, Minneapolis, MN 55416
Founded in 1946 by George Adolfson and Gordon Peterson, Adolfson and Peterson Construction provides pre-construction and construction services for the commercial, education, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, multifamily, municipal, recreational, and senior living sectors. A great example of their work is the Maple Grove Library. Constructed with Minnesota limestone, this contemporary, one-story library is 40,000 square feet wide and includes a three-level 356-stall parking ramp, and the latest environment-friendly trends.
Designed for LEED compliance, the library features a green roof that helps reduce heating and cooling costs, lake-based geothermal heating and cooling systems, high clerestory windows along the roofline to take advantage of the daylight, and low maintenance landscaping with native plants and local building materials. Another Adolfson project of interest is the Ramsey County Shoreview Library, built in 2017 and featured in the architecture website, ArchDaily.
MISSISSIPPI
Roy Anderson Corp.
11400 Reichold Rd., Gulfport, MS 39503
Roy Anderson Corp.’s renovation and addition work on Tulane University’s Howard Tilton Memorial Library is impressive. Previously, it was a four-story building; two more floors were added. The new fifth-floor houses general collections, government documents, and the building’s new mechanical and electrical systems. The sixth-floor houses media, music, art, architecture, newspapers, microforms, and rare book collections. The renovation also included new mechanical and electrical equipment for the lower floors.
Of course, this library is not the only project this firm is capable of building. Ever since its establishment in 1955, the firm has built projects for different sectors which include—but are not limited to—commercial, cultural and religious, education, and government. Another example of its project diversity is the Mississippi Aquarium which was featured in Business Wire. In addition to its ability to create vastly different projects, the firm was also recognized with a number of awards. In 2016, the firm won three notable awards which include the ABC Mississippi Chapter’s Merit Award, two of AGC’s Build MS awards, and the ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter’s Gold Merit Awards for its work on the Howard Tilton Memorial Library, and the Louisiana Cancer Research Center’s fifth and sixth floor build out.
Facilities such as these were possible because the firm expanded its capabilities through the acquisition of other companies. In 2003, the firm bought Harrell Contracting Group, a respected and diverse Mississippi contractor with an extensive portfolio on hospitality construction. In 2010, the firm took in Brice Building Company which has offices in New Orleans and Birmingham and the capacity to build healthcare and commercial facilities.
MISSOURI
Brock Miller Construction
14 N. Middle St., Farmington, MO 63640
A third generation general contractor, Brock Miller Construction has over 90 years of project management experience and specializes in building commercial facilities in the public and private sectors. In addition to its years of building in the industry, current president Bill Giessing offers over 20 years of construction experience and a degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.
The firm has the skills to build a number of facilities. These include performing arts centers, sports facilities, healthcare facilities, hotels, churches, office buildings, sewer treatment plants, pre-engineered metal buildings, government buildings, retail centers, and school facilities. The Farmington Library is perhaps the most relevant for our purposes here. A colonial style building, its most notable feature is the arc for the children’s section, built to look like four classic storybooks.
MONTANA
Jackson Contractor Group
15 North 6th St., Miles City, MT 59301
Jackson Contractor Group began 19 years ago with founder Doug Jackson sitting behind a single desk in a small warehouse. Over the years, the firm grew into one of the most prominent regional general contractors and has completed projects in Montana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
One of these notable projects is the Billings Public Library. Completed in 2013, this 67,900 square foot library has a LEED Platinum certification and was built with an aggressive construction schedule to ensure minimal disruption to surrounding businesses. Once this new library was completed, the old library was demolished to make space for additional parking. This project was also featured in Curbed’s list of the 20 Most Beautiful Libraries in the U.S.
Projects such as this could only be completed with leaders like CEO and founder Doug Jackson. A LEED accredited professional and a member of the American Society for Healthcare Engineering, Jackson graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Construction Engineering Technology. In addition to his qualifications, Jackson is known for thinking outside the box, and for his commitment to client-focused solutions.
NEBRASKA
Sampson Construction
3730 South 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68502
Sampson construction has built college stadiums, schools, hospitals, religious facilities, libraries, hotels, corporate campuses, correctional centers, college campus buildings, manufacturing complexes, and retail developments. Established in 1952, this firm has a reputation as a trustworthy partner for many business owners, developers, and communities across the country. Nebraska clients have been located in Hallam, Lincoln, Fort Collins, and Omaha, where the firm has built several facilities.
We’re taken with the Ashland Public Library. A replacement for the former Carnegie Library built in 1911, this 13,800 square foot building is a library, a senior center, and a meeting place all at the same time. Exhibiting a steel facade with metal stud framing, precast brick, and metal panel exterior, it has an interior that features limestone panel accents, wood panels, and two clerestory windows that fill the center with natural light.
Projects such as these helped the firm with awards such as the 2014 AGC Build Nebraska Awards for its renovation work on Kregel Windmill Factory and the Educare Child Development Center.
NEVADA
United Construction
5300 Mill St., Reno, NV 89502
United construction started off in 1978 as a small industrial/commercial contractor in Reno. Today the firm has a national reputation. Carrying the flexibility of a small firm, but the resources and expertise of the 41-year-old firm that it is, United Construction builds diverse public and private projects alike, in the industrial, marketing, medical, aviation, office, renovation/tenant improvement, and education sectors.
The firm’s current CEO, Michael D. Russell, has over 35 years of experience in the construction industry. This includes more than 50 million square feet of building completions and more than 25,000 acres of land acquisition and related land development. Currently, Russell is an active member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP), the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation Construction Sector Council, and serves as co-chair of The Children’s Cabinet, a local non-profit organization helping keep children safe and families together.
The firm has collected numerous awards including two AGC Pinnacle Awards for Excellence in Client Services and Project Management, and three AGC Pinnacle Merit Awards for Excellence in Client Services, Project Management, and Construction. One of its projects, Sierra Nevada College’s Prim Library, was actually featured in Elle Decor’s list of 50 Best Libraries in the U.S. Prim Library was built as the campus’ heart; it brings students together to learn and interact, connecting them with the forest setting it’s designed to emulate. Staying in touch with its surroundings, this library is made of exposed, heavy timber and layered natural wood. Inside is a wide reading area on the main level. And the reading alcoves and study lofts on the second floor, provide gorgeous views of the surrounding forest.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Hutter Construction
810 Turnpike Rd., New Ipswich, NH 03071
From a geothermal system for a private residence to the construction of the Merrimack Valley High School—New Hampshire’s first high-performance school—and the renovation and reconstruction of The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, Hutter Construction has the ability to handle a variety of projects. After building hundreds of institutional, educational, healthcare, industrial spaces, commercial facilities, and high-end residential homes, Hutter Construction is ranked as one of the largest construction companies in the state of New Hampshire.
One of its most notable library projects is Berwick Academy’s Jeppeson Library. But since the firm’s establishment in 1973, Hutter Construction has collected decades of construction experience to win awards for a number of projects including the 2010 AIA Maine Design Awards for the LEED-certified Children’s Museum of New Hampshire and the 2013 AGC Safety Award.
NEW JERSEY
Scozzari
1891 North Olden Ave., Trenton, NJ 08638
Scozzari started with Nicolo Scozzari, a stone mason schooled in the traditions of old world craftsmanship. 75 years later his son Philip and grandsons Nicholas and Leonard continue this tradition through Scozzari Builders, now one of the most respected general contracting companies in the region. It won the NJ Historic Preservation Award for Port the Colden United Methodist Church and it has been featured in numerous publications including Princeton’s Weekly Business Journal, Mercer Business, Trentonian Newspaper, The Trenton Times, and the online website PRNewswire.
One of the firm’s most notable library projects is the Hun School of Princeton Library. The firm not only does new constructions, but also expansion, modernization, and renovations for offices, banks, hospitals, municipal facilities, shopping centers, and factories.
New Mexico
Jaynes Corp.
2906 Broadway Blvd., NE, Albuquerque, NM 887107
Jaynes Corp. is known for continuously raising the bar. Established in 1946, Jaynes Corp. has stayed true to its mantra, “The Way Up.” Most recently, it was included on ENR’s 2016 list of Top 400 Contractors and was named Albuquerque Business First’s Top New Mexico General Contractor. In 2017, the American Subcontractors Association of New Mexico named it the first place general contractor for Excellence in Safety. Adding to these awards, the firm has also been featured in publications like Albuquerque Business First and Albuquerque Journal for its work on The Blake at Taos Ski Valley. Other than hospitality and entertainment projects such as this, the firm also has experience building for the community, housing, office, healthcare, industrial, retail, education, and research sectors.
One great example of these projects is the Mancos library. Functioning both as a community resource and gathering place, this library has a wall of glass overlooking the Mancos River. Inside, key features include a fireplace and seating area, computer desks, meeting room, outside patio, offices for the staff, and a large children’s room.
The library was originally designed as a LEED-certified building but it surpassed expectations and achieved a LEED Gold certification, possible thanks to the firm’s LEED consultant, Dave Biggs, and its superintendent, Jack Stewart. Projects like this are also possible thanks to CEOs like Rick Marquardt who has been with the firm since 1983. A 36 year veteran in the construction industry, Marquardt served as president of the New Mexico AGC.
NEW YORK
Plaza Construction
1065 Avenue of the Americas, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Since the firm’s establishment in 1986, Plaza Construction has become a multi-faceted general contracting firm with a presence that extends to New Jersey, Florida, and Washington D.C. Richard Wood serves as CEO, and the firm offers construction and program management, design/build, and construction consulting.
Plaza has created buildings for the commercial/mixed use, education, government/public, healthcare, hospitality, residential, retail, transport/infrastructure, and cultural/arts sectors. One of its most notable projects is from the cultural/arts sector—Mariners Harbor Public Library. Located at 206 South Avenue, this library is the 88th branch of The New York Public Library and carries the shape of an oyster to reflect the maritime history associated with Mariners Harbor. Carrying an open, airy design, it has large windows, skylights, and is known as the first library branch with an outdoor terrace. This library is LEED silver certified and received the award for Excellence in Design from New York City’s Design Commission.
NORTH CAROLINA
Frank L. Blum Construction Company
830 East 25th St., Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Frank L. Blum Construction Company is known for its tenacity. For nine decades since its establishment in 1923, the firm was known as one of the Triad’s trusted builders. Through the difficult times, the firm endured and kept building facilities for the corporate, healthcare, higher education, hospitality, industrial, K-12, education, multi-family, non-profit, religious, senior living, and civic/cultural sectors.
A great example from the civic and cultural sector is Forsyth County’s Central Library. Designed by Ratio Architects and Steel Group Architects of Winston-Salem, this 103,000 square foot building included the demolition of the 1950s building and a complete gut of the four-story 1980s addition. Renovations to the 1980s building and the new 50,000 square foot addition created a modern, state-of-the-art facility. This project was awarded the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership’s 2018 Downtown Excellence award. Aside from this project, the firm also won two 2018 Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership’s Downtown Excellence Awards for the AFAS Center for the Arts and Forsyth County Central Library.
Currently, the firm has Drew Hancock as its director. With more than 30 years of experience leading the company, Hancock also has over 40 years of experience in the construction industry which he gained after graduating from The Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Currently, Hancock serves as Vice Chairman of the Wake Forest Center for Private Business and is a board member for Leadership Winston-Salem and the local BB and T Advisory Board. Previously, Hancock also provided services for the community which included serving as the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce as president.
NORTH DAKOTA
Nill Construction
2602 3rd Ave., SW, Jamestown, ND 58401
Carrying over 30 years of construction experience, Nill construction is a general contractor experienced in both commercial and residential projects, and is known as one of the most respected builders in the Jamestown community. It won the 2016 American Buildings Excellence in Design Honorable Mention Award for its office building’s design.
Another notable project is its renovation work on the 100-year old James River Valley Library, a public bid project through JGL Architects. The exterior renovation consisted of foundation wall repairs and waterproofing. New landscaping was also completed alongside the new monument sign which included an electronic signboard. The interior meanwhile retained its original look while the lower level gained new finishes. An Acoustical Cloud Baffle Ceiling was also installed to provide sound reduction and create a fun atmosphere.
OHIO
Cleveland Construction
8620 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060
In business since 1980 and currently managed by CEO Richard Small, Cleveland Construction is best known for its ability to balance scheduling, budget, and project goals during the preconstruction process. Though the firm is known for its high-level client satisfaction during preconstruction, it has won several awards for construction. From 2015 to 2018, the ABC won the Excellence in Construction Awards. Aside from these prestigious awards, the firm has been featured in Properties Magazine for its adaptive re-use and historic renovation of the 12-story residences at Halle in Cleveland.
When it comes to building libraries, its most notable piece is Driving Park Library. A 15,334 square foot building with high expansive windows that allow natural light to spill inside, it has three conference rooms to accommodate up to 120 people, areas designated for children and teens, and 47 public computers.
OKLAHOMA
Flintco
1624 W. 21st St., Tulsa, OK 74107
When it was founded in 1908, Flintco was known as a brick and mortar business. Fast-forward a century to 2008 and this 111-year-old firm was ranked by Forbes as one of the largest commercial contractors in the nation and was featured in Tulsa World.
The firm has built other offices in Albuquerque, Austin, Houston, Memphis, Springdale, and Oklahoma and started expanding its services to preconstruction, construction management, design-build, and program and project management. These services are provided for various facilities, including research, leisure, public works, and education. One such project is the Tulsa City County Central Library. An anchor for the Civic Center Historic District, it has a distinctively modern exterior. Other than exhibiting new cast stone panels, refurbished public art, it also has new glass study cubes that offer a glimpse into the activity inside. Along with the adult stacks and children’s area, there are more spaces where up to 140 people can meet and collaborate.
Aside from this library, the firm has completed many other projects for notable clients, such as the University of Oklahoma, the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, and the Skirvin Hilton Hotel.
OREGON
Hoffman Construction Company
805 SW Broadway, Suite #2100, Portland, OR 97205
Back in 1922, Hoffman Construction Company was known to build houses and schools. Today it’s one of the largest general contractors in the U.S., and has completed some of the most challenging projects on the planet. Currently managed by firm president Wayne Drinkward, this firm mostly services Portland, Coos Bay, and Salem. In Portland, the firm did a renovation for Portland Art Museum’s North Wing. Previously a Masonic Temple, the building was transformed into the museum’s new Center for Modern and Contemporary art. After an upgrade on all systems and restoration, then renovation work on all ballrooms, the building now also houses an administrative and curatorial center. The finished project includes gallery space, upgraded facilities for the museum’s library, staff offices, and a retail sales gallery.
Another breathtaking project built by this firm is the Seattle Public Library. Composed of five platforms, this angular building has cantilevered floors and is encased by a latticework of glass and aluminum. The entire structure was built to resemble an uneven stack of books. Its imperfect alignment allows for better views, airy spaces, and allows natural light to filter through the large windows. Designed by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas, this library was featured in a number of publications, which include travel website Fodor’sTravel’s list of 19 Best Public Libraries in America and was mentioned in National Geographic’s article concerning the 23 most enchanting libraries in the world.
PENNSYLVANIA
Wohlsen Construction
548 Steel Way, PO Box 7066, Lancaster, PA 17604
Wohlsen Construction is an award-winning firm affiliated with several chapters of the ABC including the national, Keystone, Connecticut, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Baltimore Metro. It also has affiliations with the American Subcontractors Association of Central PA, the Delaware Contractors Association (DCA), Maryland Construction Network, and the Pennsylvania Council of General Contractors.
The firm has been operating for 129 years. Since its founding, Wohlsen Construction has focused for the most part on the senior living, healthcare, and higher education sectors. It has a long history, but it also has plenty of recent awards. In 2018, it won ABC New Jersey’s Project of The Year Award, five more first-place Awards of Excellence, and two Awards of Merit. In the same year, it was also ranked 95th overall in the Contracting Firm category of Building Design + Construction’s Giants 300 report.
Its most notable library build out, Hockessin Library, is also an award-winning facility built within 12 months. Designed by ikon 5 and Studio JAED Architects, Hockessin Library had preconstruction and construction services for a 7,846 square foot addition and had the existing library’s entrance, lobby, meeting room, conference room, and children’s library renovated. This project gained The Chicago Athenaeum’s American Architecture Award, AIA New Jersey’s Honor Award, and AIA Delaware’s Merit Award.
RHODE ISLAND
Behan Bros.
975 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, RI 02842
With employed industry specialists who share the firm’s passion for quality, Behan Bros. has already built projects ranging from expansive luxury homes to large and technically demanding commercial structures ever since its establishment in 1973. This firm is also affiliated with the Rhode Island Builders Association (RIBA) and the Newport County Contractor’s Association (NCCA). The firm’s mastery has been featured in Newport This Week and Design New England, and it has won several awards such as the Preservation Society of Newport County’s 2018 Laurel Award for the Welcome Center at the Breakers. This project was also given Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo’s Certificate of Special Recognition. In 2017, it also won Newport Life Best of Newport County’s Best Construction Services award.
In the same year, another of its projects, WaterRower, won Rhode Island Monthly’s Silver and Honor Awards. And in the previous year, its most notable library project, the Tiverton Library, was recognized with Rhode Island Monthly’s Gold Award. The new Tiverton Library is 24,000 square feet wide and has charming interiors that feature an adult reading room with a fireplace, separate meeting rooms, a children’s library, and an outdoor reading area.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Matrix Construction
1201 Crestview Rd., Anderson, SC 29621
Matrix Construction was only established in 1991, but the firm has already built a total of 500 projects. These include a variety of nstitutional, industrial, commercial, and design-build projects for North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and Alabama. One great example of these projects is a colonial structure, the Pendleton Library. Aside from the firm’s numerous completed projects, Matrix Construction’s owner and president, Hew King is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and holds a degree in Finance.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Jans Corporation
4700 N Westport Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57107
Aside from being a member of the AGC, Jans Corporation is also a two-time winner of the AON Build America Award with the first win coming from 2004’s Sertoma Butterfly house, and the second win coming from the 2010 Sioux Falls Seminary. The firm started in 1973 under the name of Nioda Builders and only changed its name to Jans Corporation in 1984. At first, the company specialized in design/build construction and used pre-engineered building systems, but after years of its steady growth, increasing sales volume, personnel, equipment, and ability to provide construction services for various projects, it started expanding its services to include custom cabinetry, construction management, and property and building maintenance. These services are usually provided for projects such as apartments/hotels, churches, commercial/industrial, financial, medical, professional, retail, restaurant, and government or educational sectors. For the latter type of facility, the firm’s most notable project is Watertown Regional Library.
President Brian Jans After graduated from South Dakota State University in 2001, where he specialized in supervision, estimating, design, marketing, development and management of various business projects.
TENNESSEE
Rock City Construction
1885 General George Patton Dr., Franklin, TN 37067
Specializing in projects that involve the commercial, government, historic, parks and recreational, religious and cultural, and educational sectors, Rock City Construction is a commercial contracting firm that has completed projects like the Williamson County Public Library. This library was a new build, but the firm also does renovation and historic restorations at various levels of complexity and value.
Established in 1913, Rock City Construction is currently managed by firm president John Lee. The firm was founded over a century ago, and it has helped build and renovate some of the state’s greatest treasures, such as Fisk University’s John Wesley Work III. As a team, it has a combined 345 years of expertise in the construction industry. Collectively, the management team has more than a century of commercial construction experience while the project leadership team has more than 220 years of industry experience.
TEXAS
Byrne Construction Services
551 E. Berry St., Fort Worth, TX 76110
96 years ago, Thomas Sneed Byrne announced the opening of Byrne Construction Services by writing personal notes to each of his longtime friends and associates: he promised to surpass expectations when given a construction job. Bryan Construction Services still holds fast to this promise and has built several generations worth of impressive projects.
Today, Byrne Construction Services is managed by the Avila Family and is a member of several associations including the AGC, ABC, DFW Minority Business Development Council, and the Chambers of Commerce for Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. The firm has won a number of awards including the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport 2016 Champions of Diversity Award. The Parkland Logistics Center won the TEXO Distinguished Building Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the nation, for a design/build over $30 million.
One notable project the firm completed is The Seguin Public Library, designed by PGAL and 720 Design. Located on a wooded site that overlooks Walnut Creek, this 43,000 square foot structure is a two-story, contemporary library that embraces its scenic natural surroundings; it’s literally shaped to fit within numerous heritage trees. Its exterior is made of local limestone and brick and includes exposed wood roof decking while colored metal panels highlight showcase spaces projecting from the building. Champagne colored aluminum sunscreens meanwhile shade the high-performance glass covering nearly 40 percent of the facade, delivering abundant light into the interior. Throughout the facility, salvaged pecan tree wood was used as flooring and unique live-edge furnishings. Nine glass-enclosed spaces accommodate meetings and study groups, while a large community room is left available for after-hours use. The Seguin Public Library was featured in the Architect magazine, San Antonio Express-News, and ENR. It also won a total of five awards some of which include TEXO’s Distinguished Building Award, ENR’s Best of Texas Award, and a LEED Gold Certification.
UTAH
Ascent Construction
310 West Park Lane, Farmington, UT 84025
Ascent Construction may be best known for the Escalante Science and Visitor Center, the first LEED Gold building in Utah. The firm made its reputation as an early pioneer of sustainable construction in Utah. The firm is also one of Utah’s top ten commercial contractors, and will have completed their 20th year of business in 2020. In 2018, Ascent was awarded the distinguished Arches Award by the Utah Labor Commission for workplace safety and health on the Sugarmont project. Ascent has received 26 prestigious quality awards in the past six years, and eight projects recognized for excellence by UC&D, Varco-Pruden, and ENR in 2018. Four of the firm’s library projects won awards, including the 2016 UC&D Award for Outstanding Project Green/Sustainable and 2016 ENR Award Best Small Project on the Marmalade Library.
In addition to these awards, ENR has featured two library projects the firm has built. One of these projects is the Marmalade Branch Library, design by Blalock & Partners. A LEED Silver project, the library is only the first phase of a larger public-private development within the Marmalade district. The design reduces solar heat gain while providing views that overlook the street and beyond. The building has weathered steel panels, cement board, and zinc for primary cladding. The exterior stair tower, meanwhile, is circled by tempered glass panels that were assembled like overlapping shingles. This design results in the front of the building’s dynamic texture that creates a lantern-like glow in the evenings. The interior was made to balance exposed raw materials with more refined finishes to blend the project into its urban location.
In April, Ascent broke ground on their latest library project out in Daybreak, Utah. The Daybreak Library Branch will be the nineteenth branch for the Salt Lake County Library System, and expected to be LEED v. 4 certified. The Daybreak Branch will act as a de facto community center, a co-working space, a bridge for the digital divide and a nurturer of lifelong learning and literacy. This branch will redefine the whole notion of library—with a rooftop garden, a maker space and other innovative features. But don’t worry, they will still have a large assortment of books and a children’s story time area. The Daybreak Library was designed by Architectural Nexus, and is expected to open to the public early Fall 2020.
VERMONT
Stewart Construction
24 Pearl St., Essex Jct., VT 05452
Stewart Construction has an extensive background in complex projects that include work for the commercial, medical, religious, historic, and educational sectors. One example of the firm’s educational work is the Essex High School Library. 11,000 square feet, this library was an additional two-story building built with steel frame, concrete, and brick. Its most unique feature is the extensive window wall system. Curved and angled out, it provides a significant amount of natural light for the library reading area.
Stewart Construction was established in 1989 by current firm president Don Stewart. Under his wing, the firm grew from a small general contractor to a multi-million dollar company that handles all aspects of the construction process.
VIRGINIA
WM Jordan
11010 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, VA 23601
WM Jordan has 50 completed LEED certified projects. This large number of LEED-certified buildings is possible because of the firm’s two dozen LEED accredited professionals and green associates employees. CEO John R. Lawson II took up the leadership position in 1986. Under his direction, WM Jordan Company became one of the largest construction companies in Virginia. With annual revenues of $500 million, the firm has also been ranked on ENR’s Top 400 Contractors in the U.S. for the past 35 years. In 2018, ENR MidAtlantic selected WM Jordan as Contractor of the Year. Established in 1958, WM Jordan has built facilities for the commercial, corporate, cultural, government, healthcare, historical, hospitality, industrial, planned communities, senior living, student housing, and education sectors.
In the education sector, the firm built the VCU Cabell Library. With 277,477 square feet, the library provides a flexible workspace with 90% of that space dedicated for students to use as study space. Covered in glass, metal panels, and limestone, the library has a maker space, a reading porch, 1,500 new seats, and an abundance of natural light.
Since the library was designed and constructed with sustainability in mind, the VCU Cabell Library achieved the USGBC’s LEED Silver certification. It even won the ENR MidAtlantic’s 2016 Best Project award in the higher education/research category.
WASHINGTON
Leone and Keeble
108 W Boone Ave., Spokane, WA 99201
Established in 1930, Leone and Keeble provide construction management, sustainable building, preconstruction services, and design building services as well as operating as a general contractor. It specializes in commercial construction, but since its inception, the firm has built facilities for the K-12 and higher education facilities, as well as building medical facilities, multi-unit housing, hospitality projects, religious structures, civic infrastructure, vehicle maintenance facilities, and parking structures.
One notable project on the firm’s resume is the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. Completed in 2007, this project is 36,450 square feet wide and provides views of the most gorgeous lake in the Pacific Northwest. This neutral-hued library also has two stories filled with study halls and reading spaces. One of these most notable reading places is a small, warm space in front of a warm fireplace where the outdoors can be seen through expansive windows.
The Coeur d’Alene Public Library was featured in Elle Decor’s list of 50 Best Libraries in Every State and won the 2012 Idaho Library of the Year Award.
WEST VIRGINIA
Mirc Construction Services
2336 Virginia Ave. Suite A, Hurricane, WV 25526
Though Mirc Construction Services is relatively new—it was established in 2008—the firm already has a combined century of experience. President and owner J. Christopher Payne leads the firm. He has extensive experience in all aspects of the construction business as well as project and construction management experience. The firm is staffed by employees considered to be skilled contractors, having built projects in the commercial, medical, and industrial sectors. Aside from its reputation as a quality contractor, Mirc Construction Services also sticks to comprehensive environmental, health, and safety programs. The firm also uses methods required by the American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE) to keep its team’s health and safety in check.
A great example of the firm’s work is Cox Landing Branch Library. Designed with Edward Tucker Architects, Inc., the library is 5,000 square feet and replaces a small facility within an adjacent elementary school. The building is sited on a slight terrace above the floodplain and is oriented towards an adjacent golf course. It also has a terrace and a glass wall shaded by an overhanging folded roof. Since the building was not placed near trees, high-performance glass was used to reduce the glaring heat gain and protect the printed materials from the damaging sun.
Since the firm follows safety programs, the library’s sustainable features include capturing stormwater and directing it to ‘rain gardens’ where stormwater is naturally absorbed and cleaned. The interior meanwhile has low or no VOC producing interior finishes and furnishings along with recycled-content materials. Low-flow plumbing fixtures, high-efficiency mechanical equipment, daylighting and efficient lighting fixtures were also incorporated.
WISCONSIN
Miron ConstructionCo., Inc.
1471 McMahon Dr., Neenah, WI 54956
Miron Construction Co., Inc. currently has more than 1,500 employees, but back when employees numbered less than 35, the entire team gathered at the end of each day to socialize with each other—sitting on overturned buckets as they shared personal stories, discussed project challenges, and celebrated achievements. This type of family culture is just one thing that sets the firm apart from others. Aside from it being a relationship-oriented firm, Miron is also known as one of the nation’s premier construction firms, providing pre-construction, construction management, design-build, industrial, and general construction services.
One of the firm’s most notable projects is St. Norbert College’s Miriam B. and James J. Mulva Library. The facility combines traditional and technologically innovative ways of learning that connect students to information from all over the world. High-tech classrooms, group study rooms, and the Writing Center help students use the information at their disposal. The approximately 80,000-square-foot library provided space for a 50% expansion of the library collections to ensure there is enough space for leading-edge learning opportunities.
Aside from these projects, the firm has built several award-winning projects, such as the Lambeau Field North and South End Zone Improvements, which won the AGC Alliant Build America Award. They also built Lake Mills Elementary School, which earned ENR’s National Best of the Best award. In addition, Miron has won more than 55 AGC Build Wisconsin Awards, more than 35 Daily Reporter Top Project Awards, and five ENR Midwest ‘Best Of’ Project Awards.
Miron Construction Co., Inc. is currently owned and operated by David G. Voss, Jr., president & CEO, and Tim Kippenhan, vice president & COO. They continue to lead the way for employees to reach beyond construction to understand client stories and translate them into the built environment.
WYOMING
Shaw Construction
460 South Cache, Jackson, WY 83001
In the 57 years since George Shaw founded the firm, Shaw Construction has completed more than 1,590 projects which include some of the most complex construction projects in the Rocky Mountain Region. The firm continues to maintain a strong presence in the region and has built some of Colorado’s most notable projects, including The Little Nell, the Eagle County Airport Tower and Terminal, the Aspen Music Festival and School, and 2020 Lawrence Apartments.
The firm also built the Teton County Alta Branch Library. A design-build project using green design concepts, this 2,400 square foot building features Energy Star appliances, high insulation values, sustainable building materials, and active/passive solar design elements. It also has 500 square feet of meeting rooms, ADA compliant restrooms, and exterior landscaping. Designed by Humphries Poli Architects, the Teton County Alta Branch Library carries a LEED Silver certification from the USGBC.
Currently, the firm has Steve Meyer as its CEO. A member of the team for 30 years, Steve is a Stanford University graduate with a degree in Civil Engineering. He is a member of the AIA Colorado West Chapter, the Colorado National Bank, Schools District 51 Foundation, the Colorado Forum, and is a Colorado Mesa University founding trustee.
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