Boston – Kaplan Construction announced that its work on Trust Early Learners has earned an Excellence in Construction (EIC) Merit Award in the Institutional category from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts (ABC MA). The ceremony was held on Nov. 2 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Norwood, Mass.
Makerspace
“The Trust Early Learners project stands as a testament to collaborative excellence, and it is fulfilling to be recognized for it,” said Nathan Peck, president of Kaplan Construction. “We overcame significant challenges during both preconstruction and construction, including nine rounds of pricing, a tight urban footprint, an abutting 170-year-old building, pandemic-related disruptions, and a fourth-floor terrace playground. Logistics planning, precise workflow, and continuous communication with abutters and neighboring businesses were crucial in delivering our client this state-of-the-art early education center.”
The Martin Trust Partnership in Education for Early Learners is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to change the standard of early education in America. Kaplan was hired in 2017 to provide preconstruction and construction services for their flagship early education center, a 20,000sf, 5-story steel building featuring six spacious classrooms, a library, sensory gym, learning kitchen, STEM room, makerspace, rooftop playground, and administrative offices. The diversity-focused Trust Early Learners center, located at 127 Harvard Street in Brookline, Mass., began welcoming children in January of 2022.
Fourth-floor terrace playground
“We are proud to recognize the outstanding work of our member contractors through the ABC Excellence in Construction Awards,” said Greg Beeman, president of ABC MA. “The winning contractors maintained a constant focus on meeting their clients’ needs and set a high bar for craftsmanship, quality, and safety.”
The project team for Trust Early Learners also included CBT, architect; Wozny/Barbar & Associates, Inc., mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineer; Bryant Associates, civil engineer; and Foley Buhl Roberts & Associates, Inc., structural engineer.
