Auburn University Culinary Science Center Receives Construction Excellence Award

Program management firm HPM recently announced that one of its recent projects—the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center at Auburn University—has been recognized by the South Atlantic Chapter of Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) as a 2023 Project Achievement Award winner. A news release reports that the Project Achievement Awards are intended to highlight exemplary projects completed by construction and program managers around the nation.

The 142,000-square-foot complex offers active and immersive learning opportunities for hospitality and culinary-science students. Amenities include training kitchens and restaurants, a retail food hall, a boutique hotel, and labs. The first floor of the building also features a tasting-menu teaching restaurant called 1856. HPM’s involvement in the project began in 2019.

The news release reports that the Culinary Science Center was one of 36 projects in the region to receive an award based on “its commitment to program management excellence, innovation, and resilience in completing the project with minimal setbacks or disruptions.”

“I am immensely proud of my team at HPM for their dedication to ensuring this state-of-the-art learning facility was delivered to Auburn without delay and in a cost-effective manner,” said Ryan Austin, HPM President. “This award is a true testament to our ability to think outside of the box within our industry and achieve the best results possible for our clients, no matter the circumstances. We thank Auburn for their invaluable partnership, as well as CMAA for recognizing our team’s hard work.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • AP Construction Breaks Ground on Two Projects for Austin ISD

    Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP) recently announced that it has broken ground on two renovation projects for the Austin Independent School District, according to a news release. The work at McCallum and Anderson High Schools totals 97,350 square feet and is scheduled for completion in January 2027.

  • Ancient Resilience: How Indigenous Intelligence Shapes the 4Roots Education Building

    As climate change intensifies, educational spaces must evolve beyond basic sustainability toward true resilience – we must design environments that can adapt, respond, and thrive amid shifting, and intensifying, climate hazards. Drawing on indigenous wisdom and nature-based strategies, integrating resilient design offers a path to create learning environments that are not only functional but deeply in tune with their natural surroundings.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

  • Texas K–12 District to Build New Elementary, High Schools

    The High Island Independent School District on the Bolivar Peninsula in Southeast Texas recently announced that construction on a new elementary school and a new high school will begin in January 2026, according to local news. Funding will come from a $27.9-million bond passed in May 2025.

Digital Edition