DBIA proudly announces the 2024 National Design-Build Project/Team Merit Award Winners. These projects are not just examples of exceptional design and construction –– they’re bold statements about the future of our industry. These winning projects redefine the possibilities of the AEC industry by exemplifying Design-Build Done Right® at its best. From reshaping urban landscapes to pioneering sustainable solutions in extreme environments, this year’s winners prove that design-build is a force for innovation, resilience and community impact. Sixty-three projects from across the U.S. –– and one in Antarctica –– were submitted for consideration across 10 categories and evaluated by a distinguished panel of industry experts.
Celebrating Excellence in Design-Build
The 2024 Project/Team Merit Award winners will now compete for a National Award of Excellence, “Best of” categories and Project of the Year. Merit Award winners will be recognized, and additional winners will be announced, at DBIA’s Design-Build Conference & Expo Awards Ceremony on Nov. 7, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. CT, at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas.
Reflecting Industry Trends and Raising the Bar
Each year, winning projects illustrate the critical role design-build plays in shaping the future of the built environment, and this year is no exception. Many of these projects integrate advanced sustainability techniques and materials to minimize environmental impact and demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, especially as sustainability becomes a paramount concern in the industry and beyond. Furthermore, community-centric design emerged as a key theme, with projects prioritizing the needs and well-being of the people they serve and ensuring infrastructure improvements enhance local quality of life.
Innovation continues to drive the industry forward, with design-build teams pushing the boundaries of construction through cutting-edge technologies and creative solutions. This innovation is matched by the efficiency and responsiveness delivered by design-build, particularly in projects requiring rapid execution under tight timelines. Collaboration remains at the heart of successful projects, promoting and strengthening partnerships that lead to exceptional outcomes.
The growing emphasis on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) also plays a crucial role in shaping resilient and adaptable infrastructure, as evidenced in several Merit Award winners. By bringing diverse perspectives to the table, these projects are better equipped to address complex challenges and create inclusive spaces that reflect the communities they serve. This commitment to DEI not only strengthens design-build project delivery but also ensures the benefits of these projects are shared equitably across all segments of society.
Judging the Best of the Best
True to DBIA’s commitment to excellence, the judging process for these awards is rigorously conducted by industry experts who convene for two days to assess projects based on best practices, innovation and the project’s ability to meet or exceed Owner expectations. Judges bring an array of experience and skills to the review process to ensure projects are evaluated across a broad range of factors. Winning projects must go beyond ticking the boxes of a design-build project –– achieving budget goals, remaining on schedule and meeting design-build best practices –– to demonstrate the advanced and standard-raising application of integrated project delivery.
“As design-build approaches nearly half of all construction spending, we continue to see extraordinary projects that raise the bar for design-build teams across the country, pushing the limits of high performance and optimizing triple-bottom-line success,” DBIA Executive Director/CEO Lisa Washington, CAE, said.
2024 DBIA Project/Team Merit Award Winners
Aviation
- Nashville International Airport Terminal Lobby and International Arrivals Facility: This 780,000 sq. ft. renovation transformed a 35-year-old terminal into a modern, efficient facility that enhances passenger experience and reflects Nashville’s musical heritage through innovative design elements.
Civic/Assembly
- Colorado Convention Center (CCC) Expansion: This expansion project added an 80,000 sq. ft. column-free ballroom and a rooftop terrace to one of the nation’s largest convention centers, achieving LEED Gold certification and boosting Denver’s economic impact.
- Millbrae Recreation Center: Rebuilt after arson destroyed the original structure, this recreation center features sustainable design and net-zero emissions standards and is a flexible community hub in Millbrae, CA.
Commercial/Office Buildings
- General Motors Design Studio: The GM Design Studio project integrated advanced design elements and extensive community engagement, creating the world’s largest automotive design facility, which focuses on innovation and inclusion.
- One Platte: Located in Denver’s Central Platte Valley, One Platte is a high-performance, mixed-use development featuring innovative dual façades, LEED Gold certification and a commitment to occupant health and sustainability.
- Wake Technical Community College, Central Energy Plant: This cutting-edge facility in Wendell, NC, features one of the largest geothermal well installations in the Southeast and serves as a living classroom showcasing sustainable energy solutions.
Educational Facilities
- University of Arizona Applied Research Building: This state-of-the-art research facility at the University of Arizona supports diverse atmospheric and space exploration research activities. It features the world’s largest university-based Thermal Vacuum chamber.
- Prince George’s County Public Schools Blueprint Schools Program – Phase 1: This ambitious project replaced six aging school facilities in just 30 months, significantly enhancing educational infrastructure and community engagement through a public-private partnership.
- The University of California, Irvine Verano 8 Graduate Student Housing: Verano 8 adds 1,055 beds across five buildings at UC Irvine, with a focus on sustainability, student wellness and affordability, achieving LEED Platinum and Fitwel certifications.
Federal/State/County/Municipal
- County of San Diego Southeastern Live Well Center: This LEED Gold and Net-Zero Energy certified health and social services hub in Southeastern San Diego emphasizes trauma-informed design, community engagement and local economic inclusion.
- Queens Borough Hall Municipal Garage and Community Space: New York City’s first design-build project under new legislation, this Parksmart Bronze-certified garage and community space exemplifies urban sustainability and civic integration.
Healthcare Facilities
- Grady Memorial Hospital Bed Expansion: Completed in just eight months, this expansion added two 26-bed critical care units to Grady Memorial Hospital. It utilizes innovative plumbing and patient care solutions to enhance patient and staff safety.
Industrial/Process/Research Facilities
- Holt Watters Field Camp: Located on Livingston Island, Antarctica, this project replaced deteriorating structures with a lightweight, insulated and maintenance-free facility capable of withstanding the harsh Antarctic environment.
- NREL Research and Innovation Laboratory (RAIL): This flexible, cross-disciplinary research facility at NREL in Golden, CO, sets a new standard for sustainable and collaborative laboratory spaces. It focuses on advanced energy materials and next-generation batteries.
- Santa Monica City Yards Modernization: This project transformed an outdated facility into a functional, sustainable and community-focused campus, achieving net-zero energy and water neutrality while overcoming significant budget and environmental challenges.
Rehabilitation/Renovation/Restoration
- Large Diameter Sewer Rehabilitation Project: This Louisville, KY, project successfully rehabilitated critical sewer infrastructure using innovative techniques and strong community engagement, ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.
- Replacement of Tower Elevators & Misc. Rehab at the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge: This project involved the innovative rehabilitation of a historic bridge in Brooklyn, NY, using advanced materials and techniques to extend its lifespan while maintaining its historical integrity.
Transportation
- Central 70 Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain: This transformative project modernized an 11-mile stretch of one of Denver’s busiest highways, replacing an aging viaduct with a below-grade highway topped by a park, reconnecting divided communities.
- Fern Hollow Bridge Emergency Replacement Project: After a catastrophic collapse, this project rapidly replaced the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh, restoring a critical transportation link in just ten months through a progressive design-build approach.
- Hwy 52 Zumbrota to Cannon Falls: This project reconstructed 13.5 miles of Hwy 52 in Minnesota, enhancing safety and sustainability through innovative construction techniques and eliminating at-grade crossings.
- I-270 North Design-Build: This major infrastructure project in St. Louis revitalized a critical transportation corridor, improving traffic flow, safety and connectivity while integrating advanced traffic management systems.
Water/Wastewater
- Cornish Creek Water Treatment Plant and Water Supply Facilities Improvements: This project in Covington, GA, improved water treatment capacity and safety while integrating sustainable construction practices and community engagement.
- Headworks Facility at the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility: As part of a major capital improvement program, this project modernized one of the largest wastewater treatment facilities in the Western U.S., enhancing efficiency and sustainability.
- Regional Surface Water Supply Project: This project in Hughson, CA, delivered a drought-resilient water supply by integrating groundwater and surface water resources, benefiting both urban and agricultural users.
- Yadkin Regional Water Supply Project – Raw Water Infrastructure: This project in Union County, NC, fast-tracked the development of a sustainable water supply, incorporating innovative design and construction techniques to ensure long-term reliability.
Visit DBIA’s Project/Team Awards page for a full list of project winners, including photos and descriptions of each project.
