Primera Engineers is proud to announce our Keller Center, Harris School of Public Policy renovation project has been recognized with a 2020 COTE® Top Ten Award for Sustainability. The COTE® Top Ten Awards is sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is the industry’s leading designation program for projects that go above and beyond sustainable excellence and integrate exemplary performance metrics and exceptional design. Each year, ten projects are recognized that meet AIA guidelines and rigorous criteria for social, economic, and ecological value.

Primera provided extensive code and life safety consulting for the Keller Center. The team worked closely with the architects, Farr Associates and Woodhouse Tinucci Architects, to meet the requirements for the University of Chicago standards, the City of Chicago Department of Buildings, the Chicago Bureau of Fire Prevention, and the National Fire Protection Association, among others. The overall large renovation project created meeting rooms, conference spaces, major event spaces, offices, classrooms/multimedia center, and an addition to a previously undersized and improperly configured graduate professional school. The existing building had historical relevance and therefore, the historical elements and/or finishes were incorporated with the new design. The project allows the space to now serve as a multi-functional facility that can host several classes and independent events and meetings simultaneously.

The Harris School of Public Policy was also recognized with AIA Chicago’s Design Excellence Award in 2019. Primera would like to congratulate the other project teams for their efforts in reducing negative impacts on the environment. View all top ten winners here.