SLAM and S/L/A/M Const. projects earn ABC Conn. honors

The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM) and S/L/A/M Construction Services were among those recently honored by Connecticut Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) at its 2015 Excellence in Construction Awards dinner. S/L/A/M Construction Services was honored with the Best in Show Award for its work the on the Music Department and Mattison Auditorium renovations at Kent School in Kent. The S/L/A/M Collaborative with KBE Building Corporation took First Place for Institutional Projects for the H.H. Ellis Technical High School in Danielson. The winners were announced at the ABC Annual Dinner and Excellence in Construction Award Ceremony. SLAM was hired by Kent School to design and renovate the aging 25,000 s/f Music Department and Mattison Auditorium. This project presented many construction and sequencing challenges. SLAM managed a tight budget, strict schedule and a complex phasing strategy that required existing spaces to remain operational during construction. With SLAM's distinctive delivery approach, the SLAM design-build team was able to anticipate these challenges and incorporate design solutions, where applicable, in the bid documents. SLAM also developed a phasing and sequencing plan to address the project constraints. It was most important to detail the sequencing within the bid documents to provide contractors with a full understanding of the project expectations. "SLAM's efforts to work around all of the constraints were masterful. As leaders of the design-build approach, SLAM always included us in the planning, designing, bidding, phasing and release of contingency to fund items on our wish list into the final design. They made themselves available and were responsive to our input and questions," said Jeff Cataldo, business manager & chief financial officer at Kent School, "The end results of this joint effort culminated in an excellent design that was delivered on time and under budget. Kent School, and its students, faculty and staff now have an impressive facility to work, teach and learn." The H.H. Ellis Technical High School project was a 130,000 s/f renovation and additions totaling 74,000 s/f, for 864 students. It involved the complete replacement of all building systems and finishes, reprogramming of the entire school and multiple building additions. Features include a new 1,600 person gymnasium, media center, and a new academic classroom wing. Five complex phases of construction were identified to allow the entire school to remain operational throughout the entire three-year project. "It was the tight relationship and collaboration with the school, the State, and subcontractors that helped us accelerate the shaping of the final phasing plan, which enabled us to meet the remarkable achievement of completing the school 8 months ahead of schedule," Glenn Gollenberg, AIA, SLAM principal and public education market sector leader said. The annual CT ABC awards event honors construction companies and subcontractors who performed work on outstanding construction projects. The Excellence in Construction winners are projects submitted to this annual competition and judged by an independent panel of judges, which include owners, architects, engineers and other industry leaders. Project submittals must adhere to rigorous application requirements for consideration of the year's top honors. Contractors must demonstrate outstanding quality in construction and references from the project owner, and rigorous safety performance.