Nor-Son Attains National Recognition from Associated Builders and Contractors

Four Awards Received for Construction Projects in Home, Hospitality, Healthcare and Commercial

San Diego, CA   Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recognized the nation’s top 2009 construction projects during its Excellence in Construction and National Safety Excellence awards celebration at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel and Convention Center in San Diego, CA on February 4.  Nor-Son’s work in the home, hospitality, healthcare and commercial sectors has earned the company four national level awards. Nor-Son’s representatives accepted awards for Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby, MN; Gull Lake Conference Center, Nisswa, MN; Chase on the Lake Hotel, Walker, MN; and a Rustic Retreat in Northern Minnesota.

The Excellence in Construction awards program is the industry’s leading competition, developed to honor innovative and high-quality merit shop construction projects and safety programs. The award honors all construction team members, including the contractor, owner, architect and engineer. The winning projects, selected from entries submitted from across the nation, were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and cost.  

A panel of industry experts served as the competition’s judges. This year's panel included representatives from the Design-Build Institute of America, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Surety & Fidelity Association of America, The American Institute of Architects and representatives from higher education, among others.  
As Construction Manger for Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Nor-Son managed the 82,500 square foot addition and remodel of one of Northern Minnesota regions only critical access facilities. Designed by HDR/Jordan Architects, the 1962 building was magnificently transformed into an open, warm and inviting space.  
As the Design/Builder for the Gull Lake Conference Center, Nor-Son incorporated a new conference facility that fit seamlessly into the natural wooded surroundings that have distinguished the resort for 90 years. Design elements from the historic main lodge were used in the conference center, such as the rafter tail detailing and cedar shakes. Reclaimed materials that reflect warmth and tradition were selected, such as native fieldstone and timber  for environmental stewardship as well as the historical presence it gave to the building.  

As General Contractor for Chase on the Lake Hotel, Nor-Son worked in collaboration with the DLR Group to create a replica of the historic hotel with modern amenities.  The project included a 50,133 square foot hotel, 14,356 square feet of lake side condominiums and a 53,146 square foot conference center with condotels.  Portions of the hotel were renovated and others rebuilt to match the look and feel of the original 1920’s era.  
Serving as General Contractor for a Rustic Retreat in Northern Minnesota, Nor-Son followed a philosophy based on inventive design, attention-to-detail, and unwavering commitment. This rustic lodge-style home designed by Pearson Design Group, Inc., was built with reclaimed products of the highest quality for durability, size, sustainability and aesthetic. Nor-Son’s skilled craftsman and their ability to create extensive projects to exact detail demonstrated the finite precision to complete a project of this complexity.  The resulting estate is a lasting legacy that began as the owner’s vision and with Nor-Son’s experienced personnel, became a remarkable architectural reality.

ABC is pleased to present these industry-leading construction projects with our Excellence in Construction awards,” said Kirk Pickerel, ABC president and CEO. This year’s winners were exceptional examples of the outstanding craftsmanship and professionalism that embody merit shop construction. ABC members continue to be the driving force behind some of the nation’s highest-profile projects.

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