Generating a sustainable, solar-supported energy for a multi-purpose school that connects a small mountain community, redesigning a water treatment facility and helping a small community locate funding for a safe water supply, developing aerial technology that monitors power lines to predict and prevent outages, preserving a dam that helps power a community and restoring a river that revived an ecosystem and revitalized a community – these were among the innovative project solutions employed by the American Council of Engineering Cos. of Colorado’s 2014 Engineering Excellence Award winners. Photo courtesy of ACEC Colorado Crews reconstruct the downstream powerhouse buttresses at the

The campus-wide project to increase the operational efficiency of the University of Colorado’s campus utility systems in Boulder has achieved a major milestone. Photo courtesy of JE Dunn Construction The East District Energy Plant is one of the cornerstones of CUs campus utility upgrade project. More than 150 field workers and representatives from the project team celebrated the topping out on Nov. 11. The team includes JE Dunn Construction, Denver; Lutz, Daily & Brain LLC Consulting Engineers, Overland Park, Kan.; The RMH Group, a mechanical and electrical engineering firm based in Lakewood; and LOA Architecture of Denver. The last piece

The U.S. General Services Administration’s James F. Battin U.S. Courthouse project in Billings, Mont., and the Federal Center South Building 1202 Redevelopment project in Seattle, Wash., won a Design-Build Project Award at the 2013 Design-Build Industry Conference and Expo held in early November. The Conference and Expo highlights exemplary projects that not only achieve budget and schedule goals, but that also apply innovative design-build techniques and include integrated project management best practices.The James F. Battin U.S. Courthouse received an Honor Award under the category of Civic Buildings, and Federal Center South Building 1202 Redevelopment project received a National Design-Build Award

The AGC of Colorado Industry Gala and ACE Awards was held at the Hyatt Regency on Nov. 1. Photo courtesy of AGC of Colorado Project of the Year - Haselden Construction LLC - University of Colorado Hospital New Inpatient Tower AGC honored winners as follows (ACE - 1st Place, Silver - 2nd Place, Bronze - 3rd Place):Contribution to the Community• ACE - Intermountain Electric Inc. – Emergency Power Recharging Stations Project• Silver - JR Butler - The Colorado Freedom Memorial• Bronze - Jordy Construction - Asian Pacific Development CenterMeeting the Challenge of a Difficult Job – Subcontractor• ACE - Ludvik

The American Institute of Architects Colorado North chapter recognized its 2013 architectural design and honor award recipients on Nov. 1 during a presentation at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art in Boulder. Photo by David Lauer Photography Honor Award Winner - Sunshine Canyon House, Boulder The following three architectural design awards were selected from 24 entries submitted by members of AIA Colorado North. The awards were presented by Jury Chair Jeffrey L. Day of Min | Day, Omaha, Neb. (Note: Honor awards are the highest achievement, followed by merit, then citation.)Honor Award for Residential: LargeSunshine Canyon House, Boulder, by renée

Brahma Group conducted a six-month execution and safety analysis to prepare for the rebuild of the flash-converting furnace at the Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper facility near Salt Lake City. While planning, the contractor says it paid particular attention to the design, removal and reinstallation of its copper water-cooling elements. Photo courtesy of Brahma Group Brahma designed a system that allowed crews to move elements inside the confined furnace space without using heavy equipment. Photo courtesy of Brahma Group The customized system can be replicated for similar rebuilds, with minor modifications. Related Links: Safety Programs Yield Business Results South Platte

The Hotel and Hospitality Learning Center is home to the Hospitality, Tourism and Event Dept. at Metropolitan State University in Denver. It combines an education classroom building, teaching laboratory, commercial hotel and conference center. Photo courtesy of Mortenson Construction The hotel is a short walk from the Pepsi Center and Denvers Lower Downtown. Photo courtesy of Mortenson Construction Only 10 other universities in the U.S. have an operating hotel attached to their hospitality programs. Related Links: New Hotel on MSU Campus Opens for Business Metro State Tops Off HLC The 162,000-sq-ft facility unites commercial and academic spaces in the hotel

The Rocky Mountain Chapter of ABC honored exceptional efforts in merit shop construction while celebrating the region’s construction industry during the 12th annual Excellence in Construction (EIC) Awards on Oct. 18 at The Four Seasons Hotel Denver. Photo courtesy of ABC Rocky Mountain (From left) Mark Baumann, Bill Kincheloe, Scott Anderson, Shannon Amberger and Jordan Woods of TIC-The Industrial Co. received their Award of Excellence from Jeff Erker of FCI Constructors, third from left. The EIC Awards provide ABC-member general contractors and specialty contractors a forum to showcase their best recent work. The ABC Rocky Mountain Chapter’s EIC awards competition

The 600,000-sq-ft Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center is a timeless addition to the exquisite architecture that defines Denver's Civic Center Park. The center's architecture complements the classical buildings surrounding it yet remains very much a current statement. The court complex is open to the public and offers a rich collection of public artwork along with a learning center that educates visitors about judicial functions. Photo courtesy of Fentress Architects The judicial center is situated along the perimeter of the historic Civic Center Park adjacent to the State Capitol. Photo courtesy of Fentress Architects A four-story glass atrium serves as

Software company Adobe Systems Inc. wanted to provide offices and amenities for its growing work force. The design of its new campus supports the company's culture of diversity, collaboration, sustainability, hard work and active lifestyles, says the submitter. Offices and conference rooms mesh with basketball courts, exercise rooms and cafes to encourage a sense of community. The layout had to provide easy access for all employees to campus amenities. Photo by Tim Griffith The campus has become a regional architectural icon, enhancing the architectural landscape of exurban Salt Lake City. Photo by Tim Griffith The campus design supports Adobe's culture