Building excellence: Associated Builders and Contractors honors projects and contractors.

• Author: Held, Shari
• Position: Building Indiana

For 15 years, Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana has been honoring builders and contractors who do business based on the merits of their company name rather than organized affiliations. Construction experts from outside organizations select applicants who produced outstanding work under a variety of circumstances.

Here's a look at the top winners of the 2002 Awards in Excellence program.

JUDGE'S SPECIAL-- INSTITUTIONAL: OVER $1 MILLION

For Central Indiana Health Systems, a new cardiac hospital was more than a dream--it was a necessity. Many of its cardiologists threatened to join forces with a local competitor unless they got a new facility.

Brasfield & Gorrie LLC, a Birmingham-based regional general contractor, was given the formidable task of constructing The Heart Center of Indiana in Carmel in just 20 months.

The $43 million, 220,000-squarefoot facility features Italian floor tiles, designer carpet and cherry screen walls, desk and trim. It was completed three months ahead of schedule and significantly tinder budget. Best of all, Central Indiana Health Systems retained its cardiologists.

JUDGE'S SPECIAL--RESTORATION: RENOVATION OVER $1 MILLION

Brandt Construction of Indianapolis transformed the 150-yearold Cannelton Cotton Mill, once Cannelton's biggest eyesore, into 70 low-income housing units.

Great care was required to keep the historic building true to its period while cleaning and restoring the sandstone exterior, including repairing two 100-foot towers and more than 280 windows. The isolated location necessitated careful scheduling throughout the project.

The $6 million project was completed in only 14 months.

COMMERCIAL: OVER $2 MILLION

Striking and distinctive both in color and design is the Echelon Building, a mixed-use retail and office building located at one of the busiest intersections in Indianapolis--Allisonville Road and 82nd Street.

Meyer Najem of Fishers used glass, composite metal panels, trumpet supports and sandstone veneer from Clay County to create the $3 million project, which features an exterior walkway leading to second floor shops.

The project was completed accident-free, on budget and within its 11-month timeframe.

COMMERCIAL: UNDER $2 MILLION

Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth boasts an impressive new 7,200square-foot clubhouse built by Majority Builders of South Bend. The gracious yet practical design hides the cart storage area below the main level, which houses the Pro Shop and Gallery and Grille restaurant.

The elevated clubhouse is situated amidst trees and features an inviting covered walkway and beautiful terraced patio overlooking greens and water features.

INDUSTRIAL: UNDER $2 MILLION

CME Corp. of Fort Wayne faced many challenges when building an addition to AAA Galvanizing in Hamilton. In the end, the company finished the project on time and under budget.

CME anticipated future requirements, such as replacing North America's deepest galvanizing kettle, by using removable wall sections. It also utilized building materials in unusual ways-fiberglass components were used as secondary...