Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences has received the 2013 Build New England Grand Honor Award from the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Massachusetts, a construction association dedicated to representing construction managers and general contractors in the quest for innovative solutions and improvements for the future of the construction industry.

The prestigious award was presented to the Laboratory at a ceremony at the Intercontinental Hotel in Boston on October 3. Build New England recognizes outstanding project teams for their collaborative approach to planning, designing and building facilities that meet the vision and goals of the owner and enhance the community in which the project resides. 

In describing the award, AGC emphasized that the Laboratory’s East Boothbay campus project was originally projected to receive LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, but that “the entire three building campus ultimately became the first scientific research laboratory to achieve LEED Platinum status in Maine.”

In making the award, AGC cited the project’s energy efficiency, low carbon footprint, high use of recycled content, sustainable manufacturing processes, and lifecycle durability as instrumental in achieving Platinum designation, and explicitly recognized campus designers WBRC Architects/Engineers, in association with Perkins + Will; contractor Consigli Construction Co., Inc.; and integral subcontractors ABM Mechanical and Porter Drywall.

“This award recognizes the fantastic team effort in construction (Consigli Construction Co., Inc. and their subcontractors) and designers WBRC Architects and Engineers and Perkins + Will in creating a world-class facility here on the coast of Maine,” said Bigelow Executive Director Graham Shimmield.  

“AGC’s top award for a new build project is judged against entries from across northern New England, including the Boston metropolitan area, and it’s therefore a source of great pride for the Laboratory that the judges chose our project for the Grand Honor Award,” Shimmield said.

“The AGC’s 2013 Build New England ‘Grand Honor Award’ recognizes both a uniquely successful Owner Team collaboration and the wonderful research and education campus that the team created,” said Gary Shaw of Perkins + Will. “Bigelow’s selection for the award affirms my belief that, more than anything, great architecture requires client leadership and vision supported by a capable team that’s fully energized to go out and make the vision come true.”