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64 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / June 2021 ed Tim Redfern, construction executive, field operations, GE Johnson. “We’re very excit- ed, we’ve been excited since GE Johnson was selected to do this project and I can’t say enough to what it means to GE Johnson, and to me indi- vidually, as a native, to be a part of the project.” The project is on track to complete this summer. Since 2018, teams have laid 21,350 sf of colored concrete plaza slabs and 5,500 sf of mason- ry. There are 400 Permatrak planks and beams surround- ing the exterior of the com- plex, transforming the summit into an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible experience. The building contains 4,175 sf of window system and crews will place the curtain wall system that is tested to withstand 230-mile-per-hour winds. The Visitor Center is also seeking to fulfill the Living Build- ing Challenge (LBC) – a certification program that goes be- yond LEED standards, raising the bar to “define the most ad- vanced measure of sustainability in the built environment.” This will be the first LBC building to be constructed in Col- orado. The LBC certification has required a strong partnership of the city of Colorado Springs, the design team, GE Johnson and all the subcontractors. Though the LBC compounds the already immense challenges inherent in this project and its location, it is a testimony to the commitment the project partners have to the responsible stewardship of natural re- sources. To achieve net zero waste, the goal of project is to divert 90% to 99% of material waste from the landfill. Current infra- structure in Coloradomakes this challenging, but GE Johnson partnered with Recycle Colorado (formerly CO Association for Recycling) to further the Colorado Contractors Challenge which has helped drive demand for increased infrastructure. To save water, the site uses vacuum toilets and recycled wa- ter for flushing. Water must be hauled up and wastewater is hauled down the mountain and the new building will reduce freshwater trips from 127 to 72, and wastewater trips from 174 to 69. This saves gas and transportation impacts on top of water use reduction. “Varied thermal set-point strategy” will help maximize efficiency by heating and cooling areas of the building separately and water is circulated throughout the building for heating and cooling. This project has been a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience for the project team, subcontractors, and designers. With the completion of the project in sight, all eyes are on America’s Mountain.\\ / Pikes Peak / OPENING ART TOP: The new facility will allow visitors to take advantage of the inspiring views and natural beauty of Pikes Peak, also known as America’s Mountain. Courtesy Windstar Studios OPENING ART BOTTOM: The new Visitor Center has 4,175 square feet of window system and a curtain wall system that is tested to withstand 230 mph winds. Courtesy Windstar Studios ABOVE: 14,115 feet above sea level, the Pikes Peak Visitor Center is 36,000 square feet Courtesy Windstar Studios BELOW: Building at 14,115 feet above sea level presents all kinds of construction challenges. Courtesy Ely Hemnes