Primera is pleased to announce that two of our projects were honored last week at the American Council for Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC-IL) Engineering Excellence Awards Luncheon held at the Hilton in Lisle, Illinois. Our Village of Hinsdale Roadway & Infrastructure Improvement project, as well as our Nancy & G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science & Community Life project, were both recognized with a Merit Award, which distinguishes those projects worthy of recognition for the engineer and the owner/client.

The Village of Hinsdale Roadway & Infrastructure Improvement project improved the infrastructure for local residents while preserving the historic significance and charm of the neighborhood. Primera Engineers provided Civil Design, Utility Design, and Construction Management on this project, which made crucial infrastructure and roadway upgrades to various streets in Hinsdale. Prior to construction, First Street was barely navigable for one-way traffic. There were massive potholes, no storm sewers, and no curbs. The original watermain on the street was a 100-year-old cast iron pipe. With the new construction, new PVC watermain was installed, curb and gutters were constructed, and for the first time in the road’s history, storm sewers provided relief from storm runoff. Overall, the project improved the structural integrity of the road with a new base and also made it more aesthetically pleasing with reused bricks that were from the original road and a third-party vendor.

The Nancy & G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science & Community Life project consisted of the design of a three-story, 101,000-square-foot building housing North Park University’s academic departments in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and mathematics at the heart of their campus. The new facility features technology-enhanced classrooms and state-of-the-art laboratories. Primera provided mechanical, electrical and plumbing as well as the evaluation of alternative systems including photovoltaic and geothermal systems. These evaluations involved energy modeling and life cycle analysis. Electrical scope also included electrical distributions systems, interior and exterior lighting, lighting controls involving daylight harvesting or dimming, fire alarm systems, and the design of raceways for telecommunications, audio visual, and security cabling and equipment. The Johnson Center was designed and constructed to reflect environmental stewardship and energy conservation. The project meets LEED Gold certification, demonstrating characteristics such as lower operating costs, resource conversation, and healthful and safe working conditions.

Each year, the ACEC-IL Engineering Excellence Awards Competition recognizes projects of engineering achievement by Illinois consulting engineering firms. ACEC-IL is the only statewide association dedicated solely to the interests of consulting engineering firms. Entries are judged on the basis of engineering excellence, the degree to which the client’s needs are met, and the benefits to the public welfare and private practice of engineering.

Click here to see all of the 2017 winners.