Name: McAllen Convention Center

Location: McAllen, TX

Designer / Architect: Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates Inc. of Atlanta in partnership with Gignac & Associates of Corpus Christi

Contractor: SpawGlass, Harlingen

Description:
The clay-tile roof, arcades, towers and exterior granite lend the building a traditional South Texas feel, while curtain walls help blend some contemporary elements into the convention center.

The main lobby is granite with clay-tile roofs, traditional masonry brick piers and arcades. Because McAllen is considered a world-class birding destination, the convention center includes several small courtyards that will be landscaped with palms and other plants to attract native and migrating wildlife. The main ballroom features a monarch butterfly ceiling.

Name: Hyatt Regency O'Hare

Location: Rosemont, IL

Designer / Architect: TVS Interiors

Contractor: Power Construction

Description:
Hyatt Regency O’Hare, one of the world's largest convention hotels, underwent a $60 million transformation of the iconic atrium design of the 1969 structure.

The dynamic elements and integrity of the original Jonathan Portman design were respected through this renovation, while progressive functional and aesthetic changes were made.

The Conference Center has a total of 24 functional, contemporary and stylish meeting rooms that surround the lobby, which includes a gathering place with natural light from skylights above. Natural stone finishes were used throughout the renovation.
AIC used classic materials in an innovative application for the contemporary two-level conference center.

Name: Jordan Creek Town Center

Location: West Des Moines, IA

Owner / Developer: General Growth Properties, Inc.

Designer / Architect: Callison

Contractor: VCC

Description:
Jordan Creek Town Center brings a new level of shopping and entertainment to Central Iowa. The two million square foot center is a Town Center for West Des Moines. Jordan Creek highlights three distinct features:

The Shopping District is a two level enclosed shopping center featuring a dynamic combination of upscale fashion and lifestyle retailers in a streetscape design.

The Lake District highlights a 3.5 acre lake surrounded by bike trails, pedestrian walkways, and a boardwalk offering waterfront dining, a hotel and amphitheater.

The Village hosts a collection of large and specialty retailers in an open-air lifestyle design.

Name: Nordstrom

Location: Seattle, WA

Designer / Architect: Callison

Description:
Associated Imports provides comprehensive design, supply, and installation services for a broad range of Nordstrom projects. Our extensive product line of materials from around the world allow this client to develop unique character and personality for each project, while conveying a unified standard of excellence for the Nordstrom brand.

Going beyond material selection we provide creative warehousing and distribution solutions which reduce product lead time and costs. Combining product performance, maintainance and durability, our solutions enhance the overall Nordstrom experience.

Name: Georgia Tech Hotel and Convention Center

Location: Atlanta, GA

Designer / Architect: Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates

Description:
On the edge of technology. On the edge of tomorrow.

The Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center is a state-of-the-art meeting and accommodation facility that combines all the amenities and modern technologies of tomorrow with a prime midtown Atlanta location. Ideal for corporate meetings, association programs, conferences, seminars and a variety of catered functions, the Center is part of the innovative Technology Square development. This premier development includes the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center, the College of Management, the Economic Development Institute and the Georgia Tech Bookstore.

Name: Starbucks Coffee Company

Location: Seattle, WA

Description:
Associated Imports first began working with Starbucks in 1996 in an effort to assist the company in developing standards for its new design concept of its retail stores. Starbucks primary design and product objectives for its floors were:

• High Quality Material – desired rustic slate appearance
  
• Exceptional Performance Characteristics – of wear, durability, and maintenance
  
• Wide Color Finish Options – in order to satisfy multiple color palettes with the same material
  
• Availability of Customized Trim Options – required new trim and base to conform to strict health standards
  
• Minimize Lead Times – necessary to meet tight construction schedules around the world
  
• Value for Dollar – maximum appeal for the lowest cost possible

Name: Falls at Sanctuary Park

Location: Alpharetta, GA

Designer / Architect: Smallwood Reynolds Stewart & Stewart

Description:
This 157-acre office development features an environment of mature natural landscape and extensive outdoor amenities. The park maintains heavily wooded stands of hardwoods, a lake and several natural streams. Building sites were selected to maintain the existing tress, terrain and wetlands while providing views of the natural beauty of the park. Groups of native plants and trees were located to blend with the existing vegetation and land forms. Some areas are enhanced with native plants to attract wildlife. Several amenities are provided for tenants, including water falls, a fitness area, baseball diamond, picnic areas, and a nature trail and jogging path which connect the buildings to the amenities throughout the park.

Name: Piazza at Paces

Location: Atlanta, GA

Designer / Architect: Cooper Carry Inc.

Contractor: Hardin Construction Co. LLC

Description:
The Forum - Piazza at Paces, Atlanta, is a work of art in its own right. Europe inspired the Italian Renaissance-style office project, a 12-story, Class A office building and five-story parking deck. Architectural precast panels, ornamental domes, terraces, half-round balconies, two-story columns, decorative handrails, and barrel-vaulted ceilings frame the backdrop of an Italian garden.

Primarily privately funded, construction of the $27 million project was completed in November 2000. The office building and parking garage total 544,223 gross square feet: a 307,793-square-foot office building and 236,430-square-foot parking garage on a 70,000-square-foot building footprint.

Conceptually, the Forum grew out of a series of visions, themes, and ideas. Project highlights include:

• Coffered barrel-vaulted ceilings accent the precast arch and columns. This exterior theme is carried inside the 27,000-square-foot lobby, where visitors are greeted with imported Spanish and Italian stone floors, rich cherry-stained wood accents on the etched bronze elevator doors, and molded stone and Venetian plaster walls. Italian artist, Valentino Vago, painted murals for the elevator ceilings and two lobby niches.
• Porthole windows, located just below the second-floor terrace level, mask two integrated deck levels. A cast stone balustrade and handrail enclose the paver terrace on three sides of the building. Decorative handrails accentuate the operable arched windows at each level. Ornamental domes anchor the penthouse.
• To avoid material delivery setbacks for this unparalleled design, the precast erection sequence drove production. Compounded with integral brick bands, precast forms were set up to follow the north to south, east to west erection. All similar shaped pieces were formed together, tagged, and shipped to the site. Daily construction progress directly influenced the precast shop ticket fabrication.

Name: 1430 West Peachtree Street

Location: Atlanta, GA

Description:
Located on prestigious W. Peachtree Street at Pershing Point, the 1430 W. Peachtree Building offers immediate access to the heart of Midtown. Blocks from Atlantic Station, MARTA, shops, restaurants and other business services in the best business location in Atlanta.

Name: Peachtree Pointe

Location: Atlanta, GA

Designer / Architect: Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates Inc.

Description:
Located at one of the city's most highly sought-after urban locations - a prime intersection in the center of Midtown Atlanta. An exterior cladding consisting of architectural precast concrete in polished and Polychrome granite and tinted, low-e insulating glass in painted aluminum frames. The unusual punched opening, modular-grid expression of the concrete is in full contrast with glass-and-stone curtainwall treatments at building corners. A striking focal point that fronts Peachtree Street is a circular rotunda, which echoes the curvature of sidewalk corners in historic Atlanta.

Name: Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel

Location: Atlanta, GA

Designer / Architect: John Portman

Description:
The Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, is North America’s tallest hotel, and with its distinctive cylindrical shape, it is a landmark feature in the city’s skyline. The hotel underwent a major renovation of its interior finishes. Under the direction of the hotel’s original architect, the facility was extensively remodeled to freshly appoint the main lobby, motor court, guestrooms, and bathrooms. The focal point of the renovation was the broad use of natural stone throughout the project. Associated Imports was selected to supply and install all stone material for the renovation – a $3.5 million assignment.

The Renovation
From the outset, Associated Imports was challenged with an extremely aggressive installation schedule. The initial demolition and installation schedule of one floor per week was quickly amended to two floors per week. Associated Imports was able to maintain pace throughout the renovation and coordinated it activities to cause minimal disturbance to hotel guests. The project completed on time and within budget – without a significant interruption oto the hotel’s operations. Associated imports’ performance on this complex project was critical to establishing a strong relationship with the architect/developer. Since the successful completion of the Peachtree Plaza, Associated Imports has teamed up with Portman Properties on more than 10 world-class developments.

Name: Printpack

Location: Atlanta, GA

Description:
Printpack is one of the largest flexible and specialty rigid packaging converters in the United States, with over fifty-year history of providing industry leading, value-enhancing service and products to its customers.

Name: Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Owner / Developer: Simon Property Group

Contractor: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Description:
The Forum Shops at Caesars is Las Vegas' premier retail, dining and entertainment destination, featuring more than 160 boutiques and shops as well as 13 restaurants and specialty food shops. The Forum Shops have held on to their position as the most successful shopping venue in the country through continual progress.

The most recent expansion added 175,000 square feet and additional levels that extend the mall out to Las Vegas Boulevard, where a grand pedestrian plaza creates a signature entrance for The Forum Shops at Caesars.