Windover Construction was recently honored with two awards for excellence in construction, a 2015 Paul E. Tsongas Award and a 2015 Construction Management Association of America — New England (CMAA) Award. Both awards recognized projects on Cape Ann.
The Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester was the recipient of the Tsongas Award for an extensive renovation completed in August 2014 by the Beverly-based Windover and designLAB architects. Presented by Preservation Massachusetts, this award recognizes the people “behind the scenes” of historic preservation projects.
Originally founded in 1873, the Cape Ann Museum is home to world-class art and artifact collections including the largest collection of Fitz Henry Lane paintings, an important early to mid-19th century New England artist who lived in Gloucester. The renovation transformed the museum’s galleries, main entry, and administrative space, as well as provided significant mechanical upgrades that have improved lighting and environmental control within the gallery walls. The Tsongas Award celebrates the deep appreciation the Windover-designLAB project team held for the history of the space while bringing it into a modern context.
“We’re delighted for the Cape Ann Museum and proud to have been their partner in restoring what is one of the most significant museums in New England,” said Lee Dellicker, Windover’s president and chief executive officer, in a statement. “Although Gloucester may be considered historic today, at its height, the city was on the cutting edge of marine and shipyard technology. We wanted this legacy to inspire the renovations throughout the museum.”
This spring Windover Construction was also awarded a 2015 CMAA Project of the Year for the Lower School and Dining Addition at Brookwood School in Manchester, completed with architect Siemasko+Verbridge.
The project consisted of a 26,000 square-foot addition featuring lower school classrooms, a large atrium connector space, and expanded dining hall. Despite construction being completed while school was in session, the project finished three months ahead of schedule. Windover made it possible for the school to embrace the entire building process, not just the finished product, by helping to incorporate construction into the school’s curriculum. The CMAA Award recognizes the collaborative and innovative approach adopted by Windover for the project as well as the challenging technical nature of its construction.
“It was a wonderful learning opportunity for Brookwood and for us,” said Windover Vice President Stuart Meurer in a statement. “Engaging the students on a daily basis in the construction process actually made it less of a distraction and created a real opportunity for innovation.”
Gloucester Times – Business Briefcase 6.16.2015