The most recent award for the remarkable renovation of AVA’s 11 Bank Street building was given in fall 2009 to Trumbull-Nelson Construction Company of Hanover, New Hampshire. The company received an Award for Excellence in Construction from the NH and VT Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors for their work on the renovation and historical restoration of the former H.W. Carter & Sons overall factory, now the home of AVA Gallery and Art Center. Blending historical features with contemporary approaches to construction, architectural design and environmental responsibility, the construction team – under the superb guidance of construction manager Todd Thompson and field supervisor Paul Tremblay – was able to provide state-of-the-art mechanical, electrical and fire protection systems and safe handicap accessible egress without changing the character of this unique community-centered resource. Challenges included coordinating an elevator shaft addition with an 1800’s out -of -plumb building and replacing the existing heating plant, a 1920’s ship’s boiler from a Lake Champlain craft. The building had numerous 19th-century additions, which resulted in many unforeseen conditions being discovered during construction.

This is the fourth award that the renovation of the AVA building has received. This project has previously been honored with an Plan-NH Merit Award, which is given to exemplary projects that incorporate the principles of “smart growth, sustainability, and social responsibility”, a Citation Award to Banwell Architects from the American Institute of Architects – VT Chapter for excellence in design in the Historic Preservation/Restoration category; and the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Congratulations to Trumbull-Nelson Construction Company for a job well done!