Hana Project Scores a Hat Trick

Calamar Canada, a full service real estate organization comprised of construction, development and management divisions and that specializes in site-cast concrete tilt-up construction, recently scored a hat trick with the selection of their Hana America Corporation project being recognized yet a third time with an award.

Hana America Corporation was selected as “Building of the Year” in the architectural category at the CON/STEEL Alliance 2007 Conference that was held in Orlando, Florida last week. CON/STEEL Tilt-Up Systems® specializes in the structural design of concrete tilt-up buildings for a select group of contractors across the USA and Canada. CON/STEEL Tilt-Up Systems®, is a division of architectural and engineering firm LJB Inc., both based out of Dayton, Ohio. The CON/STEEL Alliance has members in 33 of the 48 contiguous states and 5 countries internationally. Calamar Canada is the exclusive contractor for the CON/STEEL system in the Southern Ontario region. The Hana America Corporation project was voted on and selected by a group of Draftcon Calamar’s peers in the Alliance and was the culmination of the awards dinner.

Hana America Corporation is a 2-storey building totaling nearly 9,500 S.F., comprised of a restaurant, a retail store and a tourism office. The concrete tilt-up structure features an integral insulation system, providing both durability and energy efficiency. Architectural elements complement the building owner’s Korean heritage and a unique entranceway was created with unusual tilt-up panels achieving a striking look.

Fast track scheduling, superior insulating values and low maintenance are just a few of the reasons the owners of Hana America chose the state-of-the-art, site cast concrete tilt-up method of construction for their new facility.

This award represents the third for Calamar Canada's submission of the Hana America project. It was previously honored at Construct Canada/Concrete Tradeshow at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in December 2006 and a National winner of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) in February 2007 at the World of Concrete convention in Las Vegas.

"We continue to be proud and overwhelmed with the awards this building receives,” said Calamar Canada Vice President and General Manager Gary Ulias. “The CON/STEEL site cast concrete tilt-up system enabled us to achieve this striking and eye-catching building by giving the owner the appearance he wanted, in the time frame he needed as well as providing the architect with the design freedom to achieve this unique appearance. This award was voted on and presented by our peers in the CON/STEEL Alliance and while we are thrilled, we humbly accept it. The quality, diversity and complexity among the other finalists we were competing against was outstanding. We again thank our team members, including Raimondo + Associates Architects, that were involved with and associated with the Hana project that has made it such an award winning project“