10 Nov 2024 DIRTT Partner Awards

We are thrilled to share that AOS was recognized for several prestigious categories at this year’s DIRTT Partner Awards! This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication of our incredible team and the trust and collaboration of our valued clients—including architects, interior designers, general contractors, and end-users. Together, we’ve pushed boundaries, embraced innovation, and delivered exceptional results that truly set a new standard for interior construction.

The 2024 DIRTT Partner Camp was a powerful reminder of the incredible work being done across their network. Bringing together over 73 DIRTT Partners for the first in-person celebration since before the pandemic, this event was a chance to honor outstanding work and recognize those who are building a stronger community and a more sustainable future. AOS was humbled to be recognized in five categories, including Diversity and Inclusion, Social Impact, Partner Designer of the Year, Partner Project Manager of the Year, Complete Solution Project Innovation, and Commercial Project of the Year. look forward to continuing to innovate and collaboration with our partners and clients across Louisiana and Mississippi.

We are deeply grateful to our clients for their partnership and vision, which inspire us to continually innovate and excel.

Our success also wouldn’t be possible without the tireless efforts of our Designer/Project Managers and Installation team. Their passion, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence are the foundation of everything we do. Please join us in congratulating the following members of our Manufactured Interior Construction division:

We are honored to be recognized with the Diversity and Inclusion Award at this year’s DIRTT Partner Awards. This distinction underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering equity and creating opportunities within the design and construction industries. We firmly believe that diversity enriches creativity and innovation, and we strive to break down barriers for underrepresented groups while nurturing the next generation of industry leaders. AOS’ underwritten scholarship for the LSU School of Interior Design made waves at LSU as a dedicated financial aid resource, offsetting the significant costs of the program for underrepresented students. This initiative provided more than just funds; it offered a gateway for talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to enter and enrich the field of design with their unique perspectives.

Our commitment to nurturing the next generation is exemplified by our support for programs, such as NOMA’s Project Pipeline, Uncommon Construction, and the GNO, Inc. led Women in STEM Economy (W.I.S.E. Women), which are all taking unique approaches to inspire, expose, and engage high school students in the world of architecture, design, engineering, and construction. These initiatives are not just about opening doors but ensuring that the design industry becomes a more inclusive, equitable, and representative space for all. At AOS, diversity and inclusion are more than goals—they are core principles that shape how we engage with our community, clients, and industry. We are proud to stand as leaders in this space and look forward to expanding our impact in the years to come.

We are also honored to have been named a finalist for the Social Impact Award, which recognizes the profound influence of our Community Impact Program. This initiative represents our holistic approach to building stronger communities, supporting local talent, and advancing sustainability. Our title sponsorship of NOLA Funk Fest in 2023 underscored our commitment to preserving Louisiana’s rich cultural heritage while providing a platform for artists and the community to connect. Additionally, our AOS Warehouse Shop initiative has contributed to circular design, reducing waste in landfills by reselling and donating gently used furniture, which further emphasizes our dedication to environmental stewardship. We are deeply grateful to DIRTT for recognizing these efforts and remain committed to expanding our impact in 2024 and beyond.

Read more about our initiatives and goals in our 2023 Community Impact Report here.

Aimee McSpaddin’s recognition as a finalist for DIRTT’s Partner Designer of the Year Award is a testament to her extraordinary talent, precision, and ability to turn ambitious visions into stunning realities. Aimee consistently exceeds client expectations while maintaining a meticulous attention to detail. Her work on the 32,000-square-foot Maritime Partners office, which was designed by AGL Commercial Interiors and also celebrated as a finalist for Complete Solution Project Innovation and Commercial Project of the Year, exemplifies her exceptional capabilities. Aimee embraced her client’s vision of creating the “nicest commercial office in New Orleans” and delivered a result that surpassed expectations. Though typically measured in her approach, she pushed boundaries on this project, inspiring the project team to think creatively and address unique design challenges. The final result reflects her deep understanding of the client’s needs, combining functionality and elegance in a space that embodies the highest standards of DIRTT’s design innovation.

In addition, Sean Chaney’s recognition as a finalist for DIRTT’s Project Manager of the Year Award highlights his exceptional leadership, innovative approach, and unwavering commitment to excellence. His work spans a diverse range of high-profile projects, including the Sadeghi Center for Plastic Surgery and LCMC Health’s downtown headquarters. A standout example of Sean’s expertise is his management of Entergy’s multi-year reconfiguration project. His innovative strategy to repurpose 76% of materials in the first phase not only diverted over 5,000 pounds of construction waste from landfills but also achieved a 44% cost reduction compared to traditional methods. Additionally, Sean’s mentorship and leadership within AOS have streamlined internal processes, including his initiative to revamp shop drawing and pricing templates, enhancing operational efficiency and team performance. His level of dedication and personal investment in every project truly sets Sean apart and makes him a deserving finalist for this award.

We’re proud to announce that in the competitive award for Complete Solution Project Innovation, Maritime Partners was a finalist for this category. In 2022, Maritime Partners set out to create the most impressive commercial office space in the Greater New Orleans area with the vision of establishing a state-of-the-art hub for its maritime operations. Completed in March 2024, this 14,239-square-foot facility was designed by AGL Commercial Interiors to integrate modern naval aesthetics with cutting-edge technology while enhancing employee satisfaction and fostering a strong company culture. The high design, quality, and tight timeline made this project a natural fit for DIRTT’s technology-driven construction solutions. The newly renovated facility now stands as a cornerstone for Maritime Partners’ operations, setting a new benchmark in workspace design.

The company previously occupied a portion of the 33^rd floor in a Class A high rise that overlooks Lake Pontchartrain. With the renovation, Maritime Partners expanded their space on the 33^rd floor and also took over a portion of 34^th floor, installing a stairway to connect the two spaces. Overall, the stunning project utilizes a comprehensive suite of DIRTT solutions, including combination walls, power, casework, embedded technology, switch film and regular film, sound masking, fabric and acoustic wall panels, and so much more.

Achieving the client’s vision of creating a top-tier office space was a collaborative effort that brought together the expertise of AOS’ project managers and installation team, the interior designers at AGL, and the GC, KeTo Construction. The design team, led by AGL, leveraged their long-term relationship and design-assist partnership with AOS to provide DIRTT’s manufactured construction solutions. Having utilized DIRTT in multiple other projects, the design team was familiar with the benefits and capabilities of DIRTT and trusted the AOS-DIRTT partnership to deliver.

The use of DIRTT’s ICE® software enabled precise planning and execution, ensuring that the final product mirrored the high-end aesthetic and functional requirements set by Maritime Partners. Throughout the process, our Designer/Project Manager, Aimee McSpaddin, worked closely with all stakeholders, creating multiple renderings and iterations for the custom reception desk, admin desk, boardroom, casework, planters, and other interior solutions. These visualizations were crucial in facilitating decision-making with the designers and key stakeholders at Maritime Partners. Additionally, AOS’ Installation team played a pivotal role in the project’s success, going above and beyond to ensure that every detail was perfect, even making modifications onsite.

Maritime Partners was recognized as a finalist for Commercial Project of the Year for its exceptional design, functionality, and use of DIRTT solutions. The project aimed to create a spectacular headquarters and succeeded with a design that blended advanced technology, employee-centric features, and maritime-inspired aesthetics. Highlights include the 34th-floor boardroom with its integrated nine-screen media wall, writeable surfaces, and custom casework that accommodates both technology and refreshments. Additionally, the break room is equipped with a golf simulator and an extensive kitchen and back-of-house for catered meals to provide employees with a space to relax and bond, supporting a strong company culture.

In addition to operational and organizational benefits, the project demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability. The design and construction process successfully diverted 2,026 lbs of drywall waste from landfills, contributing to a significant reduction in environmental impact. Moreover, the facility’s wall insulation incorporated 402 recycled denim jeans, showcasing the innovative use of sustainable materials. Acoustic performance was another key priority with 10mm laminated glass, fabric-wrapped acoustic panels, and strategically placed butt-hinge doors used to reduce sound transfer.

Biophilic elements like integrated planters and moss walls not only improve employee wellness but also enhance the space’s aesthetic appeal. Feedback from the client has been overwhelmingly positive with key stakeholders praising the transformation of their workspace into a facility that drives collaboration, improves productivity, and elevates company culture. This project sets a new standard for commercial office design in the region and exemplifies the potential of DIRTT’s solutions in delivering high-impact, innovative spaces.