The developer of the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan was among four individuals recently honored by the New York Building Congress for their contributions to the further development of New York City.

Larry Silverstein, president and CEO of Silverstein Properties joined Jack Rudin, chairman of Rudin Management Company; Amanda Burden, chair of the New York City Planning Commission and director of the Department of City Planning; and Denis Hughes, president of New York State American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations; as honorees at the NYBC’s 87th Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon.

Rudin, who was recognized for his contributions to the industry along with his philanthropy, received the Jack & Lewis Rudin Award for Industry Service to New York City. “Jack is somebody who had done so much in our city and anytime he has done anything he doesn’t do it first and foremost for how he can make money or what is best for his company, he does it thinking about what is best for the city,” said Luncheon guest New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Burden received the Special Recognition for Public Service award for her dedication to design excellence throughout New York. “When this administration took office in 2002, the planning challenges seemed formidable,” she said. “With [New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s] leadership, we have been able to rezone over 6,000 blocks and over 1/6 of the city, and we’re not finished.” She thanked NYBC and the industry for their support which helped “build consensus and build political support for our proposals [Hudson Yards, High Line elevated park, Greenpoint/Williamsburg Waterfront developments] which reflect both the needs of the communities and the realities of the market, creating private and public value simultaneously.”

NYBC honored Hughes, who was “humbled” to receive a Leadership Award for his labor contributions and union commitment to the industry. “We all have shared responsibilities to make this city work and to consult each other as we decide what our priorities are,” said Hughes. “The success of one cannot result from the failure of another. The labor movement is committed to being part of that partnership and together we can make this state work, this country work and this city work.” At AFL-CIO, Hughes is responsible for over 2 million union workers.

Lastly, Silverstein was recognized with a Leadership Award for his dedication to Lower Manhattan’s redevelopment and commitment to rejuvenating the World Trade Center area following September 11, 2001. “When there is a real purpose for getting something done, it’s amazing how people can coalesce and actually get it done,” he said. “So I look at the entire experience with [7 World Trade Center] and said that’s the way things should go, they should move efficiently and effectively and that is our mission to rebuild the Trade Center.”

Although the construction industry has not been the leader in utilizing 3D technology, a recent wave of interest will promote more collaborative projects, announced Brian Donnell, partner in the Construction Practice Group, as well as mediator for Construction Tech 2008. “The construction industry as a whole is way behind,” he said.

The annual conference, hosted by The Greater new York Construction User Council and The Building Trades Employer’ Association, featured three panel discussions focused on better integrating BIM technology into the industry.

The first panel, Gong 3D: What’s Really Happening on New York’s Biggest Projects, featured Charles Thornton, founder of strategic consulting firm Charles Thornton & Company; Marcelo Velez, assistant vice president for Design and Construction at Columbia University; Anne Cottam, project manager at Forest City Ratner Companies; Kenneth Drucker, design director at HOK; Kevin Bredeson, BIM expert at Gilbane and Erleen Hatfield, vice president at Thorton Tomasetti. All panelists discussed how BIM has helped their firms for current project design and construction. “[Because the project team is using BIM,] we are seeing collaboration at its highest level and also seeing optimization of the scope,” explained Bredeson. “We are now able to meet the budget and keep the project on track.”

The second panel, The Latest Building and Construction Technologies, welcomed Val Lehr, senior partner of Lehr Associates; David Powell, team leader of Controls and Commissioning at Arup; Kenneth Stow, construction technology expert at Autodesk, Inc.; Charles Reid, head of Design and Construction at Gale International and Thomas Scarangello, managing principal at Thorton Tomasetti. Material development is excelling because of more powerful analysis by advanced hardware and software, said Lehr. “We’ve been using 3D models for years . . . engineers and architects no longer have to dumb down designs for contractors since they are now embracing 3D software,” said Scarangello.

The final panel, How Do I Maintain and Operate a Green Building and What is the Cost?, was made up of Ernice Conrad, president of engineering firm Landmark Facilities Group, Michael Gubbins, vice president of Albanese Organization, Tom Scarola, senior director and director of engineering at Tishman Speyer, Anthony Campbell of Vornado Realty Trust and Louisa Plotnick, project manager at New York State Energy Research & Development Authority. Panelists discussed how new technologies can assist in maintenance and operation of green buildings.

Lastly, the 2008 Technology Awards were also distributed to construction and design teams. The winning projects were Citi Field and Yankee Stadium. Turner Construction accepted for the Yankee Stadium team and Bovis Lend Lease accepted on behalf of Citi Field.