Skanska's Wake Technical Community College Central Energy Plant Named Among Nation's Top Design-Build Projects

DURHAM, NC – Skanska has earned three prestigious national awards from the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) for its exemplary work on the Wake Technical Community College Central Energy Plant (CEP). The project was honored with the National Award of Merit for the Commercial/Office Building category, the National Award of Excellence for the same category, and the Best in Process distinction.

Skanska's construction of the Central Energy Plant at Wake Tech East, the newest campus of North Carolina’s largest community college, features a 15,700-square-foot single-story facility that serves as a sustainable energy hub to efficiently heat and cool the entire campus. By integrating renewable energy technologies such as geothermal and solar systems, the CEP delivers both substantial energy cost savings and enhanced system performance. Compared to conventional boiler/chiller systems, the CEP uses one-third less energy and reduces carbon emissions by 50%.

“This project with Wake Tech is a leading example of environmental stewardship and showcases our combined commitment to sustainable, innovative building practices and smart energy solutions,” said Mark Balling, executive vice president of Skanska USA Building’s Mid-Atlantic Region.

The successful construction of the Central Energy Plant at Wake Tech East highlights Skanska's ongoing dedication to sustainable construction practices. The recognition by the DBIA underscores the company’s strategic focus on achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.

“As design-build approaches nearly half of all construction spending, we continue to see extraordinary projects that raise the bar for success for design-build teams across the country, pushing the limits of high performance and optimizing triple-bottom-line success,” said DBIA Executive Director/CEO Lisa Washington, CAE.

The awards were presented at the 2024 Design-Build Conference & Expo Awards Ceremony on November 7 in Dallas, Texas. Sixty-three projects from across the U.S. were considered for the awards, with a distinguished panel of industry experts evaluating the submissions.