Charles A. DeBenedittis

Henry C. Turner Prize

September 27, 2004  

2004 Henry C. Turner Prize recipient, Charles DeBenedittis, at Hearst Headquarters in New York City.

Courtesy Tishman Speyer Properties

Charles A. DeBenedittis, senior managing director of design and construction at Tishman Speyer Properties, is the third recipient of the Museum's Henry C.Turner Prize for Innovation in Construction Technology. The Museum established the prize in 2002 to recognize technological achievements that have had a transformative impact on the built environment. The $25,000 prize is supported by an endowment from Turner Construction Company and named for the company's founder.

Over a 50-year career, Charles DeBenedittis has led the design and construction of major buildings around the world, including the Sony Center in Berlin; the Messeturm high rise in Frankfurt, Germany; and the John Hancock Tower in Chicago. In a conversation with Norbert Young, FAIA, president of McGraw-Hill Construction, and Irwin G. Cantor, structural consultant and member of the New York City Planning Commission, Mr.  DeBenedittis will discuss some of his notable projects and his involvement in innovations in building technology, materials, and methods. He pioneered construction management as a discrete professional service, helped develop value engineering and fast track design/construction, and was an early adopter of technological advances such as energy-efficient exterior wall assemblies.

The Henry C. Turner Prize is supported by an endowment from Turner Construction Company