Featured Projects: 2025 ABC Excellence In Construction Awards

Celebrating Award-Winning Design and Collaboration

The ABC Excellence in Construction Awards celebrate projects that embody exceptional craftsmanship, innovation, and quality.

We are grateful to Prince George's County Public Schools and Greenberg Gibbons for entrusting us with the design of their projects. This recognition, however, is a tribute to the outstanding work of Nichols Contracting and Chesapeake Contracting Group, respectively. Contributing to their success is both an honor and a meaningful achievement for our team.

While both projects were recognized for their excellence in construction, each tells its own story of transformation and community impact. Let’s take a closer look at the Howard B. Owens Science Center and the Hunt Valley Towne Centre.

The Howard B. Owens Science Center's Commitment to Growth

Located in Lanham, Maryland, the Howard B. Owens Science Center serves as a hub for STEM education, programs, and resources for students from pre-K through 12th grade.

In partnership with Nichols Contracting, the newly renovated Science Center was designed to reimagine the learning environment and create a strong foundation for every student’s lifelong journey of discovery.

The renovation integrates custom décor, vibrant colors, textured flooring, atomic-pattern wall panels, and large murals to create an immersive, future-focused environment that energizes the space and reinforces the center’s mission of sparking curiosity and exploration in STEM.

A major highlight of the project is the new outdoor classroom, which creates opportunities for discovery outside traditional classroom spaces. Featuring a pollinator garden, composting station, weather station, Zen garden with large rock specimens, and a rain garden, this space offers hands-on opportunities for students to engage with environmental science and sustainability in real time.

The centerpiece of the Science Center is its in-house planetarium, designed to provide immersive, interactive explorations of nature, space, and our world. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and adaptable seating configurations, the planetarium offers students unparalleled opportunities to engage directly with astronomy, planetary systems, and the broader principles of science.

Hunt Valley Towne Centre, located in Cockeysville, MD, is a premier mixed-use destination spanning more than 925,000 square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment space.

Chesapeake Contracting Group partnered with JP2 throughout the construction process to deliver a successful project at Hunt Valley. With over 55 shops and services, Hunt Valley has long been a thriving hub of commerce, and this collaboration further enhances the experience and strengthens the center’s role as a community destination.

To support the continued growth of the Towne Centre, JP2 partnered with Greenberg Gibbons to design two new pad buildings featuring restaurants with outdoor seating. Additionally, a former Sears building on the west end was transformed into a Onelife Fitness center and an Ashley Furniture, bringing renewed life and energy to the property.

By revitalizing vacant spaces and strengthening walkability and accessibility, Hunt Valley Towne Centre now offers even more inviting places to shop, dine, and relax. These improvements not only attract new and returning visitors but also foster opportunities to connect. Whether with family, friends, or neighbors, building connections is at the heart of building community.

Hunt Valley Towne Centre continues to evolve as a destination where commerce and community meet.

How JP2 Brings Community Impact to Life

Whether local, out of state, or international, JP2 Architects is deeply committed to strengthening the communities we serve. Guided by the principles of people, purpose, and place, we take the time to understand what connects individuals, uncover their unique needs, and listen to their aspirations. With every project, we explore how the built environment can foster a sense of connection and support meaningful, lasting impact. From addressing food deserts to introducing new cultural experiences, JP2 designs with intention—creating spaces that elevate quality of life, spark opportunity, and reflect the spirit of the communities they serve.