Ramona Community Resource Center 

The County of San Diego’s Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) envisioned the Ramona Community Resource Center as a trauma-informed, welcoming facility to serve the rural, historically underserved community of Ramona, 35 miles northeast of San Diego. With no centralized location for vital services, the county aimed to deliver a thoughtfully designed, sustainable facility that would meet the urgent needs of Ramona’s 22,000 residents and serve as a long-term civic asset.

The design-build team was anchored by a “One Team, One Mission” philosophy in which they embraced every DBIA best practice. Co-location of the Owner, architect, builder and key trade partners supported collaboration and rapid decision making, breaking down silos and keeping the team aligned from concept through completion. Lean Principles, BIM, digital tools and just-in-time delivery were embedded in every phase. A 3D model was also used to integrate real-time Owner feedback, simulate constructability and sequence fieldwork in a logical, efficient order. 

Clear Community Impact
The 7,500 sq. ft. single-story facility unites public health, family support, veterans’ services and self-sufficiency programs under one roof. Human-centered design features, such as natural daylight, open sightlines to the surrounding landscape and outdoor gathering areas, support physical and emotional well-being by creating a calming and dignified environment for all visitors. The interior layout supported both privacy and accessibility, especially critical for families seeking sensitive services. Low-VOC materials, low-embodied carbon construction and an all-electric system contributed to healthy indoor air quality and long-term sustainability. 

Despite environmental challenges, including federally protected trees and migratory bird nesting, the team maintained schedule and safety and achieved zero recordable incidents and no days away from work. The project also met all seven of its original goals, including Net Zero Energy performance with on-site solar generating 110% of energy needs, LEED Gold certification and the county’s 3% local business participation target. 

Winner – Best in Process – Best Value

Delivered on time and within budget, the success of this project reflects the County of San Diego’s commitment to design-build best practices. Through qualifications-based selection, clear evaluation criteria and structured interviews, the County chose a team whose experience and values aligned with its own. Early stakeholder engagement and proactive risk management built trust across all disciplines, enabling faster, smarter decisions. The jury remarked that this vital community resource “demonstrates how best-value principles, when truly understood and applied, lead to real-world success.”

Winner – Best in Small Projects

With a modest budget but an ambitious vision, this community center proves small projects can deliver outsized impact. Every dollar was maximized through smart, sustainable design — achieving LEED Gold, generating 110% of its energy needs and meeting local business participation goals. Human-centered design shaped a trauma-informed, welcoming space that reflects the county’s character and strengthens community connections. Jurors called the center “a template for future small project winners” that illustrates how innovation, empathy and efficiency can thrive no matter the scale.

Design-Build Team

Photos

Photo Credit: Alex Nye