New building nets prize for craftsmanship

The University of Montana’s recently completed Don Anderson Hall has received first prize in the 2007 Excellence in Craftsmanship Awards presented by the Montana Contractors’ Association.

The awards go to projects exhibiting exemplary design and craftsmanship, as well as innovative construction techniques.

Groundbreaking for Don Anderson Hall — the new home of UM’s School of Journalism — was held in the spring of 2004. The building was dedicated at a May 11, 2007, ceremony.

Equipment, furnishings and construction of the 57,238-square-foot building cost nearly $14 million. Funds came from generous private donors, state contributions and UM’s $100 million Invest in Discovery Capital Campaign.

The building takes the name of newspaper legend Don Anderson, a Montanan and a Wisconsin publisher. Anderson negotiated Lee Enterprises’ purchase of Anaconda Copper Mining Co. daily newspapers in Montana in 1959, releasing them from their infamous “copper collar.”

The building’s architect was Mark Headley of StudioForma Architects in Bozeman. The project manager was Scott Wright of Swank Enterprises of Valier. Casey Austin of Swank Enterprises was the project superintendent responsible for craftsmanship.

MCA presented the 2007 Building Excellence Awards Jan. 10 in Kalispell. The awards recognize MCA members for their quality work.