Firm awarded highest honor for historic renovation and new construction for the BU Children’s Center
Kaplan Construction, a WBE general contractor and construction management firm providing comprehensive building programs across Greater Boston, is proud to announce that it was honored with an Excellence in Construction Award (EICA) from the Massachusetts Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC MA). The company received an Eagle award, the highest level of recognition that can be bestowed by the ABC, in the institutional category for the company’s work on the Boston University Children’s Center (BUCC).
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ABC members gathered for a virtual awards gala on December 29, 2020 to recognize and celebrate the very best construction projects its companies have to offer. The prestigious Eagle award represents the pinnacle of achievement and recognizes overall excellence regarding project execution, craftmanship, safety, innovative elements and challenges, and client satisfaction.
“Our chapter is thrilled to recognize the outstanding work of our member contractors through the ABC Excellence in Construction awards. Although the pandemic required our event to go virtual this year, we have never been prouder of these winners who proved that merit shop contractors are always prepared to perform under trying circumstances,” said Chapter President Greg Beeman.
In 2014, Boston University (BU) acknowledged a need to expand and relocate its Children’s Center, an on-campus daycare that serves the children of university staff , faculty, and graduate students. The university settled on 10 Lenox Street, a three-story 17,000 SF Tudor revival-style mansion in the Cottage Farm Local Historic District of Brookline, Mass. Originally built in 1904, the former private residence had been school property for 50 years, but the interior had not been renovated since its purchase and required significant upgrades.
In 2018, Kaplan was hired to provide preconstruction and construction services for the renovation of the existing mansion and a two-story 3,000 SF addition to create a nurturing and safe space for children. In June 2020, against the backdrop of a global pandemic, Kaplan safely delivered a modern child care center that meets today’s building code and early education licensing requirements within the context of the historical neighborhood.
Designed to be harmonious with the neighborhood and existing house, two playgrounds were built to complement the indoor learning space. A backyard playground features climbing structures, reading nook with tree stump seats, sandboxes, tree deck, learning garden, and bike path. Several mature shade trees were protected and saved, establishing a backyard feel and a combination of natural and manufactured play spaces that both challenge and excite were installed. A one-story garage located adjacent to the garden was converted into an auxiliary classroom featuring sensory stations and a greenhouse. An additional infant play space was built on a restored historical porch, abutting a quiet residential street.
“We are excited to provide our faculty and staff with first-rate childcare services adjacent to campus in our new Children’s Center, enabling us to recruit and retain high quality faculty and staff,” said Walt Meissner, associate vice president of operations at Boston University. “Kaplan Construction, studioMLA Architects, and our OPM, Stantec, managed a complicated renovation and addition through the COVID-19 pandemic with true professionalism and without impacting the schedule. Thanks to them, we were be able to welcome children in August 2020.”
About ABC MA
ABC MA is the largest construction trade association in the Commonwealth, representing some 470 local general contractor, subcontractor, and supplier and associate companies that employ more than 20,000 workers throughout Massachusetts.
About Kaplan Construction
Kaplan Construction is a general contractor and construction management company that provides comprehensive building programs including preconstruction planning, construction management, design-build services, and general construction for commercial, healthcare, multi-family, worship, and institutional clients. Serving Greater Boston since 1976, the company’s proactive approach features lean building techniques and integrated project delivery (IPD) that often realize substantial cost savings and earlier completion dates for its clients, while its dedication to safety far surpasses industry standards. For more information, please visit www.kaplanconstructs.com.
