The new Visitors Center features nine exhibits that tell the story of Fernald’s history and the environmental clean-up project, and a fully-equipped meeting room for education programs and community meetings. The design and construction of the Visitors Center incorporated sustainable design principles including the reduction of energy, electricity and water consumption, and the reduction or minimization of the impact to the environment. Additionally, the building’s exhibits incorporate innovative products and processes, making them one of the first federally funded sustainable exhibition projects in the U.S. They were designed in consultation with the faculty and students at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) and detail the history of the site.

Megen led the design+build team, managing every aspect of design and construction. In addition to managing its own subcontractors, our team coordinated the work of several owner-contracted consultants, such as the exhibit designers, and integrated their work into the overall construction timetable. Because of the trusting relationship the team developed at the project’ inception, the owner awarded us an additional $1 million in work to manage above the contract scope. The project was completed on time and on budget. We also led a zero-accident job site working within the Department of Energy’s safety standards, which rank among the most stringent in the world often surpassing OSHA’s requirements. In addition to surpassing the owner’s LEED Gold goals with LEED Platinum certification, our team was awarded the 2009 Build America Award and 2008 Build Ohio Award for the project.