Workstage

July 26, 2007

Workstage takes top honor for best new construction project in the nation

Innovation earns Royal Caribbean project coveted Grand Prize

Workstage’s development for Royal Caribbean Cruises in Springfield, Oregon received the Grand Prize for New Construction at The Buildings Awards in New York City. The award presentation was held at the Javits Center during the 2007 BOMA Congress and The Office Building Show.

The project was selected from a collection of the most innovative buildings nationwide. The panel of judges focused on people-centered results that came from a partnership “where a developer and occupant are of like minds.”

The judges commented that “through the use of architecture, Royal Caribbean has found a way of duplicating the experience a passenger has onboard for its land-locked staff. They have reduced employee stress levels, obtaining the maximum effort from a workforce and ensuring a long-term commitment to the company.”

Also noted by the jury was the balance of serious building performance and people centric amenities.

“A Gold-LEED-certified project, the efficiencies and environmental sensitivities are carefully balanced with a nautical theme; however, the amount of whimsy used within the building is nicely balanced with the needs of Royal Caribbean. There is much visual excitement!”

The award was accepted by Brad Huber, Regional Director for Workstage. “We are proud that this project has received such a high honor. It is a tribute to the teamwork and shared vision of both companies.”

Workstage’s Royal Caribbean project joins the previous award winners including: 7 World Trade Center (New York), Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (Boston), and ABN AMRO Plaza (Chicago). “Workstage is proud that this project will now be a part of this growing legacy of innovation,” said Jack Cottrell, President and CEO of Workstage.

Additionally, Workstage was recognized with a Project Innovation Award for the Walker Surgical Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a state-of-the-art surgery center and eye clinic. This project received an exemplary rating by the panel of judges.

Both the Royal Caribbean Cruises Customer Service Center and Walker Surgical Center will be profiled in the October 2007 issue of Buildings Magazine.

“It is very apparent that Royal Caribbean falls within the realm of a very rare breed: that of an educated client. The guiding principles between designer and owner should be used as a role model for many facilities to follow. Congratulations on a job well done!”
-Jury comments

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About Workstage
Workstage is a research-driven design build developer focused on delivering the world's most flexible, people-centered, and sustainable buildings. Since that inception, Workstage has been named one of America's top ten most innovative developers, developed more than 40 High Performance Buildings, received the prestigious national AIA Honor Award for design excellence, and has built some of the world's most sustainable buildings. For more information visit: www.workstage.com

About the Royal Caribbean project
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), the second largest cruise vacation company in the world, chose Workstage to design and build its third and largest customer service center to date. The facility includes many windows that allow daylight to come in, as well as an under floor air system to promote clean air flow and good health among workers. It is flexible enough to accommodate future growth that is projected to triple by 2009. The facility received LEED® Gold Certification.

About the Walker Surgical project
The Walker Surgical Center serves as a multi-discipline destination healthcare facility. The first level houses state of the art operating rooms with pre- and post-operative recovery area. The second level features a hi-tech clinical eye-care space providing general services, specialists, an optical shop and a skin-care spa environment. The clinic features under floor services distribution to provide the ultimate flexibility to the changing needs of the space.