Burlington, MA – Erland Construction recently received a Build New England Performance Award from the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts (AGC MA). The Erland team was recognized for building the John and Diane Kim Autism Institute at the New England Center for Children in Southborough, a school that is dedicated to transforming the lives of children with autism, locally and internationally, through education, research, and technology.
Exterior of John and Diane Kim Autism Institute / Shupe Studios
Training room / Shupe Studios
Designed by Dixon Salo Architects of Worcester, the 33,000sf, three-story addition serves as a research and education center for educators, parents, and students. The institute also includes specialty rooms for training and observation that are designed for education research. For Erland, the new building is a remarkable project, knowing that it will provide long-term benefits for the researchers, teachers, students, and families affiliated with the globally recognized school.
Computer lab / Shupe Studios
A welcoming lobby with reception desk / Shupe Studios
Since school was in session during construction, Erland paid attention to the safety of the students. Due to the uniquely special, sensitive environment at the NECC, Erland’s team took great care to avoid disrupting daily activities and greatly reduce students’ exposure to noise, dust, or vibrations caused by construction. The team installed a complex card reader security system on doors in the construction areas and stayed in constant communication with NECC faculty and staff.
Erland executives were so impressed by the work that NECC accomplishes that the company formed the Erland Charitable Foundation, which raises funds to support community organizations and charities. Last year, the foundation held its inaugural event, “Strike Out Autism,” to benefit NECC. Erland employees were joined by more than 200 construction industry members at King’s in Burlington and raised $20,000 that went directly to NECC for research and training.
-more-
“Erland worked within the setup of our active school campus and I can’t say enough about their professionalism, genuine caring attitudes, and dedication to keeping our students and staff safe. They’ve been an incredible partner from the beginning and we are so appreciative of all of their hard work,” said Jared Bouzan, NECC’s Chief Development Officer. “We now have a world-class facility where teachers can learn and students can benefit for years to come.”
“Not only did we build a new facility to help advance the mission of the NECC, we also built a relationship with the school, including the students, teachers and staff,” said Steve Craft, Project Executive, Erland. “We are extremely proud to receive the Build New England Performance Award for this amazing project.”
Every other year, the AGC MA presents the Build New England Awards to recognize outstanding teams that build projects around New England. The program is designed to commend the owners, developers, designers, contractors and subcontractors who collaborate on the hardest and most creative commercial and institutional projects. Erland was the only non-union contractor to receive this year’s performance award.
In its 40th year, Erland Construction is the Northeast’s leading open shop construction management and general contracting firm. The Company is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts and has specialized expertise for new construction, additions, and renovations in major market sectors including academic, advanced technology and life sciences, residential, senior living, office, commercial, and healthcare. For more information, visit www.erland.com
