The Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Confidence Index (CCI) increased across all three indices in the first half of 2014. The CCI reflects construction industry prospects using three measured categories—revenues, profit margins and hiring. Each index now stands at a post-recession high, implying that nonresidential construction’s recovery, already robust, is positioned to continue into the year ahead. During the first six months of 2014 (readings above 50 indicate growth):• Sales expectations rose from 63.2 to 68.2• Profit margin expectations expanded from 57.5 to 60.3• Staffing level intentions moved higher from 62.2 to 65, indicating acceleration in hiring going forward.“A number

The Colorado Ballet has completed a long-awaited move into its new home at 1075 Santa Fe, on the north end of Denver’s Santa Fe Art District. The move from the ballet’s former home of 20 years to the expansive new facility brings to life artistic director Gil Boggs’ vision for the largest resident dance company in the state. The new space will also help to establish a center for dance in the state. Image courtesy of Semple Brown Design The new space for the Colorado Ballet in Denvers Santa Fe Arts District is comprised of eight studios as well as

The Denver Botanic Gardens opened it new $6-million Science Pyramid to the public on September 18. The 5,258-sq-ft pyramid will showcase the research being done at the gardens on contemporary botanic and environmental issues, as well as topics like global steppe climates. Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin, courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens Thirty panels on the pyramids high-performance faade feature photovoltaic collectors to gather energy for interior exhibits. The new space empowers visitors to become citizen scientists and do their part as ambassadors for global conservation as a part of the Botanic Gardens’ broader mission. Various projects conducted under the Botanic

Odyssey Elementary, slated to become the greenest school in the state, opened its doors to students August 25 in Woods Cross, Utah.  The building can function as a net-zero facility, generating all its own electricity, and is on track to achieve LEED-Gold certification. The owner, Davis School District, is pushing the envelope for 21st century schools. In traditional schools, teachers are often limited in their pedagogical approaches by the classroom and the building in which they teach.Not so at Odyssey. The school has flexible spaces that can be easily moved or adjusted to meet student and teacher needs. It was designed around

“The AGC Alternative” is the first of its kind, nationwide private insurance exchange to serve the commercial construction industry. It began offering firms belonging to the Associated General Contractors of America quotes on insurance rates in late August. The private exchange, developed in collaboration with Willis North America, a unit of Willis Group Holdings, the global risk adviser, insurance and reinsurance broker, features comprehensive insurance coverage from Aetna, MetLife and Group Vision Service as part of its introductory suite of benefits.Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC’s chief executive officer, noted that the new private exchange was designed by Willis for AGC to

SITECH Intermountain (formerly Wheeler Construction and Mining Technology) was recently established in Utah as well as in several adjacent counties in Wyoming, Nevada and Arizona. SITECH Intermountain joins a network of SITECH dealerships—the first fully dedicated global distribution network offering a portfolio of construction technology systems available to the heavy and highway contractor. Photo courtesy of SITECH Intermountain SITECH offers a full portfolio of Trimble Grade Control Systems and Cat AccuGrade Grade Control Systems designed for the entire fleet of heavy equipment. SITECH Technology Dealers represent Trimble and Caterpillar machine control systems for contractor fleets of heavy equipment, regardless of

The SLATERPAULL | Hord Coplan Macht design team has won a 2014 Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence for the Avery Block building in Fort Collins. The project was awarded the Best Façade Program recognition by the governor’s office and Downtown Colorado Inc. for outstanding projects and people that reflect an attitude of perseverance and dedication to community revitalization in Colorado. Photo courtesy of SLATERPAULL Hord Coplan Macht Avery Block is part of the historic district within Old Town Fort Collins. The Avery Block is located on the northeast corner of North College Avenue and East Mountain Avenue and is part

The American Council of Engineering Cos. of Colorado has created a new business-education certificate called Business Essentials, in partnership with Denver-based Jones International University (JIU), a provider of online education. The certificate is intended to bridge the gap between technical expertise and leadership education. The Business Essentials Certificate prepares consulting engineering professionals for leadership positions and to enter entrepreneurial roles as they start up their own firms or advance into management positions. The curriculum includes four master’s-degree-level courses—ethics, economics, accounting and financial management.Each course is offered every month, has statewide access and accommodates varied work schedules. The design of the

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Baker Hall, closed for the past 15 months for its first major renovation in more than 75 years, welcomed 456 students in late August with a modernized interior that better addresses the needs of today’s students while retaining the building’s original charm. Photo by Patrick Campbell, University of Colorado Boulder The $41.5-million renovation of 1937 Baker Hall includes 115,000 sq ft, 456 beds, 256 student rooms, a hall director apartment, a faculty apartment, four classrooms and 10 faculty offices. Photo by Patrick Campbell, University of Colorado Boulder Each student room has smart heating and cooling

The U.S. General Services Administration rededicated its U.S. Custom House Federal Building at 721 19th St. in Denver on September 10. The building received new mechanical and electrical systems to improve its energy efficiency, along with replacement of 750 windows. Photo courtesy of Matsuo Engineering and Centerre Construction The U.S. Custom House remodel included raising the height of interior ceilings to their original elevations and restoring all wood base, trim and doors. The GSA anticipates that the improvements will lower energy consumption by 20% as well as increase tenant security.The project budget was $43.5 million, and at its peak, it