News Release > Carolinas AGC Announces 2007 Pinnacle Award Winners

For additional information, including project photos :
Lori Tharp , Carolinas AGC
(704) 372-1450, ext. 5227; ltharp@carolinasagc.org

THE SINGLE SISTERS HOUSE HONORED WITH BEST BUILDING PROJECT PINNACLE AWARD

The Single Sisters House at Salem Academy and College, Winston-Salem, NC
General Contactor: Frank L. Blum Construction Company , Winston-Salem , NC

This Historic National Landmark, erected in 1785 to house unmarried women in the Moravian community, had been declared unsafe in 2002.

Salem College vowed to save the oldest building in the nation continuously associated with the education of women, which is also the oldest building on any college campus in the state of North Carolina. The restoration involved a three-year planning and construction process.

Blum’s team members received many hours of special training from specialists such the US Heritage Group; and worked in consultation with specialists in 18th- century Germanic architecture and construction throughout the life of the project. 

They revived original historic features hidden by restorations over the years. They even found graffiti on the inner plaster walls, drawn by the original 1785 residents who played on the construction site while they waited to move into their new digs.

Unlike a modern building, no single location could serve as the equipment hub for the building. Instead, elaborate ductwork and piping is now hidden behind historic plaster walls and ceilings, and mechanical rooms tucked into the basement and attic.

No workers except Frank L. Blum employees were allowed to cut into the building. Subcontractors for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, sprinkling and life safety infrastructure would lay out the appropriate path, Salem College would approve it, and then Blum employees would cut it. 

The owner of this project could not have been more enthusiastic about the Frank L. Blum team’s attitude and workmanship. In their words:

“The pride with which they have approached their work on this building is nothing short of inspirational.”