Our History of Design-Build EXCELLENCE
Hensel Phelps has a long tradition of excellence in design-build. Our history of projects recognized by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) tells the story of teams that push boundaries, solve challenges and deliver results that inspire. From airports and universities to laboratories and civic centers, each project stands as a testament to our commitment to quality and collaboration. Discover how we continue to shape the future of design-build through innovation and performance.
DBIA Recognition Timeline
1999 City of Oakland Administration Buildings
DBIA awarded the City of Oakland Administration Buildings in Oakland, California the Design-Build Excellence Award in the Public Project Over $15 Million category.
2000 Alameda County Recorder’s Building
The Alameda County Recorder's Building project in Oakland, California was a finalist in DBIA's Public Project Under $15 Million category.
2002 Social Security Administration Childcare Facility
DBIA awarded the Social Security Administration Childcare Facility in Woodlawn, Maryland with the Design-Build Excellence Award in the Public Project Under $15 Million category.
2002 Strategic Computing Complex
DBIA awarded the Strategic Computing Complex in Los Alamos, New Mexico the National Design-Build Award in the Industrial/Process Project Over $25 Million category.
2002 University of Texas San Jacinto Residence Hall
The University of Texas San Jacinto Residence Hall project in Austin, Texas was awarded the National Design-Build Award by DBIA in the Public Project Over $15 Million category.
2003 Nonproliferation and International Security Center
DBIA awarded the Nonproliferation and International Security Center in Los Alamos, New Mexico with the National Design-Build Award in the Industrial/Process Over $25 Million category.
2003 Capitol Area East End Complex Block 225
The Capitol Area East End Complex, Block 225 project in Sacramento, California was awarded the Design-Build Excellence Award by DBIA in the Public Sector Building Over $15 Million category.
2004 Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building
The Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building in Denver, Colorado was awarded the National Design-Build Award by DBIA in the Public Sector Over $15 Million category.
2005 San Diego Convention Center Parking Facility
DBIA awarded the San Diego Convention Center Parking Facility in San Diego, California the National Design-Build Award in the Developer category.
2005 Atlas V Activation at SLC-3E
The Atlas V Activation at SLC-3E project in Vendenberg Air Force Base, California was awarded the Design-Build Excellence Award by DBIA in the Industrial/Process Sector Over $25 Million category.
2005 M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Ambulatory Clinical Building
DBIA awarded the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Ambulatory Clinical Building in Houston, Texas the Design-Build Excellence Award in the Public Sector Over $15 Million category.
2007 Presidential Helicopter Support Facility
The Presidential Helicopter Support Facility project in Patuxent River, Maryland was awarded the Design-Build Excellence award by DBIA in the Transportation Over $50 Million category.
2007 National Security Sciences Building
DBIA awarded the National Security Sciences Building project in Los Alamos, New Mexico with the Design-Build Excellence award in the Public Sector over $15 Million category.
2007 Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center
The Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center in San Leandro, California was awarded the Design-Build Excellence award by DBIA in the Public Sector Building Over $15 Million category.
2009 TC Williams High School
DBIA awarded the TC Williams High School project in Alexandria, Virginia with the Design-Build Excellence award in the Public Sector Building Over $25 Million category.
2009 Fort Carson Brigade and Battalion Headquarters
DBIA awarded the Fort Carson Brigade and Battalion Headquarters project in Fort Carson, Colorado with the Design-Build Excellence award in the Public-Sector Building Over $45 Million category.
2010 University of California, Irvine Humanities Gateway
The University of California, Irvine Humanities Gateway project was awarded the National Design-Build award in the Public Sector $25-50 Million category by DBIA. The $30 million, 76,207 SF Humanities Gateway project at University of California, Irvine (UCI) is a four-level building with instructional and support space, a film screening room and auditorium. The project includes a 46,500 SF designated area for instructional research, general assignment classrooms, academic and administrative office space,...
2011 Pentagon Renovation Wedges 2-5
DBIA awarded the Pentagon Renovation Wedges 2-5 in Arlington, Virginia Best Overall and National Design-Build in the Rehabilitation/Renovation/Restoration category. The Pentagon is the largest low-rise office building in the world, making the renovation of Wedges 2-5 the largest renovation project in contemporary history. The 4.5 million SF design-build project included complete demolition and abatement down to the concrete structure; hardening of the exterior envelope; upgrading of all MEP and Life Safety...
2011 U.S. Southern Command Headquarters
The U.S. Southern Command Headquarters in Miami-Doral, Florida was awarded Design-Build Excellence in the Office Buildings category by DBIA. The U.S. Southern Command Headquarters is configured and optimized to enable effective command/control of Joint-Coalition-Interagency Operations, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and several other Federal agencies, with state-of-the-art information technology and telecommunications systems. The facility allows the Southern Command to combine forces, formerly spread throughout nine different...
2011 UC Irvine Engineering Unit 3
DBIA awarded the UC Irvine Engineering Unit 3 in Irvine, California the Design-Build Excellence award in the Educational Facilities category. A $52 million, 122,000 SF, cast-in-place structure including five stories for the lab wing and four stories for the non-lab wing, the Engineering Unit 3 project at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) was constructed to provide primarily wet and dry labs and expansion space for the five engineering departments:...
2011 Mineta San Jose International Airport Terminal Area Improvements
The Mineta San Jose International Airport Terminal Area Improvements in San Jose, California was awarded Design-Build Excellence award by DBIA.
2012 Sharp Chula Vista Emergency Room Expansion
DBIA awarded the Sharp Chula Vista Emergency Room Expansion project in San Diego, California the Design-Build Merit award in the Rehabilitation/Renovation/Restoration category.
2012 John W Finn Hall
The John W. Finn Hall in Naval Base Coronado, California received the National Design-Build Award from DBIA in the Commercial Buildings category. The $64 million, seven-story, 198,917 SF NAVFAC P742 John W. Finn Hall project consisted of a concrete Bachelors Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) with 264 living modules designed to house 528 E1-E3 personnel. The project included a central utility plant, various outdoor recreational facilities, and general site development, including parking...
2012 Military Department Investigative Agencies Headquarters
The Military Department (MILDEP) Investigative Agencies Headquarters in Quantico, California was awarded the Design-Build Merit from DBIA in the Civic Buildings category.
2013 Twentynine Palms North Mainside Infrastructure
The Twentynine Palms North Mainside Infrastructure project in Twentynine Palms, California was awarded the Design-Build Honor Award in the Transportation Projects category by DBIA. The Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center North Mainside Infrastructure Expansion project (29 Palms) was a $140,000,000 contract to transform from a 160-acre previously undeveloped site to an extension of the existing main cantonment for future build-out as part of the Grow the Force (GTF) Initiative....
2013 USMC Bachelor Enlisted Quarters Package 8
DBIA awarded the USMC Bachelor Enlisted Quarters Package 8 project in Camp Pendleton, California the National Design-Build Award in the Civic Buildings category. The Hensel Phelps/Soltek Joint Venture was the design-builder for the 800-unit Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ). The Architectural partners for the project were RJC Architects and Joseph Wong Design Associates. The complex features four BEQ buildings, includes a community center with 60-inch plasma HDTVs, a theater, training lounge, Corps Café, Quarterdeck...
2013 SCI Benner Township Correctional Facility
DBIA awarded the new Correctional Facility for SCI Benner Township in Benner Township, Pennsylvania the National Deign-Build Award in the Correctional Facilities category. The campus includes nine inmate housing units at 32,008 square feet each, a 40,671 SF unit and a 15,307 SF unit; a 23,255 SF outside administration facility; an 18,890 SF security administrative building; a 24,570 SF health services facility; a 24,273 dietary services facility; a 49,810 SF laundry...
2013 San Antonio Public Safety Headquarters
DBIA awarded the San Antonio Public Safety Headquarters In San Antonio, Texas the National Design-Build Award for the Civic Buildings category. The San Antonio Public Safety Headquarters is a $57 million design-build project by Hensel Phelps and Fentress Architects, with associate architect Lopez Salas. This project unites the San Antonio Fire and Police Departments in a 240,000 SF state-of-the-art building, centralizing several public services and providing much-needed space for the previously overcrowded...
2013 C-5 159th Readiness Center
The C-5 159th Readiness Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming was awarded the National Design-Build Award by DBIA in the Civic Buildings category. The team of Hensel Phelps and Fentress Architects delivered the first design-build project for the Wyoming Military Department. This fast-track design-build project includes a 25,000 SF Readiness Center and a 10,000 SF heated equipment and vehicle storage building. The facility provides administrative, flight simulation, training, assembly space, physical fitness, weapons storage and vehicle maintenance for the Wyoming...
2014 Air Force Technical Application Center Design-Build Phase I
DBIA awarded the Air Force Technical Application Center Design-Build Phase I in Patrick Air Force Base, Florida with the National Award of Merit in the Civic Buildings category. The project achieved the owner’s vision for a world class headquarters facility that exemplifies design excellence while meeting the incredibly high quality and security standards. The 276,000-square-foot, four-story headquarters facility includes office space, conference rooms, auditorium and 40,000-square-foot radiological laboratory that monitors nuclear...
2014 California Health Care Facility
DBIA awarded the California Health Care Facility in Stockton, California with the National Award of Excellence in the Healthcare category. This award was presented to the Granite Hensel Phelps JV and Clark McCarthy a Joint Venture for the work completed by all four firms on the overall facility program. The highly successful program was the first design-build project for the owner, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The winners were...
2015 Benjamin P. Grogan and Jerry L. Dove Federal Building
The Benjamin P. Grogan and Jerry L. Dove Federal Building in Miramar, Florida was awarded the National Award of Merit and National Award of Excellence in the Federal/State/County/Municipal category by DBIA. In addition, it was also awarded the Excellence in Design (Architecture), Excellence in Process, and Project of the Year. In January of 2012, the U.S. General Services Administration selected Hensel Phelps/Gensler as the Design-Build Team for the Benjamin P. Grogan...
2015 Social Security Administration National Support Center
DBIA awarded the Social Security Administration National Support Center in Frederick, Maryland with the National Award of Merit in the Federal/State/County/Municipal category.
2016 Stanford Linear Accelerator Center Science and User Support Building
DBIA awarded the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) Science and User Support Building in Menlo Park, California with the National Award of Merit in the Federal/State/County/Municipal category. Nestled into a hillside overlooking Stanford University and San Francisco Bay, the new SLAC Science and User Support Building (SUSB) provides much-needed space for scientists to collaborate and plan their work in a state-of-the-art, high performance building. As the gateway to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory...
2016 The University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
The University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona was awarded the National Award of Excellence and National Award of Merit in the Healthcare Facilities category. The 214,000 SF, five-story cast-in-place concrete structure is the first National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Arizona, one of only 41 in the country reaching this designation. The University of Arizona Cancer Center comprises...
2017 Mule Creek Infill Project
DBIA awarded the Mule Creek Infill Project in Ione, California with the National Award of Merit in the Federal/State/County/Municipal category. The design-build Mule Creek Infill Complex houses 1,584 Level II Inmates for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). The project includes 550,000 SF of new construction, spread across 24 individual buildings on an 80-acre site. Adjacent to the active, high-security Mule Creek State Prison, the project required the mass excavation of...
2017 Commercial Crew Transportation Capability – Launch Complex 41
DBIA awarded the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) – Launch Complex 41 in Cape Canaveral, Florida with the National Award of Excellence and the National Award of Merit in the Industrial/Process/Research Facilities category. The Hensel Phelps Design-Build team was given an unique opportunity to be a part of the Commercial Crew program. NASA’s Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) brings the United States one step closer to launching crews back into space from...
2017 University of California, Irvine – Mesa Court Student Housing Expansion
The University of California, Irvine - Mesa Court Student Housing Expansion project in Irvine, California was awarded Project of the Year by DBIA, as well as the National Award of Merit and National Award of Excellence in the Educational Facilities category. The $96 million, 250,000-SF University of California, Irvine (UCI) Mesa Court Student Housing Expansion project consisted of three new concrete structures, each standing six stories high, plus a podium....
2018 East County Hall of Justice
DBIA awarded the East County Hall of Justice Center in Dublin, California the National Award of Excellence and the National Award of Merit in the Federal/State/County/Municipal category. The East County Hall of Justice is a 196,000 SF design-build project consisting of a five-story courthouse building and a two-story county Building connected by a shared lobby and security screening area. The courthouse building houses 13 criminal courtrooms and associated support spaces,...
2018 Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Terminal East Infill Project
The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) Terminal East Infill Project in Austin, Texas has been awarded by DBIA with the National Award of Merit in the Aviation category. The ABIA Terminal East Infill Project enhances the passenger experience by expanding passenger processing capabilities for ticketing, customs, baggage handling, and also adds a new passenger security screening checkpoint accommodating up to 10 new lanes. This project added 56,000 SF to the terminal,...
2019 UC San Diego Mesa Nueva Student Housing
DBIA awarded the UC San Diego Mesa Nueva Student Housing project in San Diego, California the National Award of Merit in the Educational Facilities category. Connecting campus communities, the UC San Diego Mesa Nueva multiple mixed-use buildings define and connect a series of outdoor rooms that respond to the natural site and foster community. The project consists of five housing buildings and a parking garage. The on-campus housing complex, which totals...
2019 Sharp Chula Vista Ocean View Tower
The Sharp Chula Vista Ocean View Tower in Chula Vista, California was awarded Project of the Year in addition to the National Award of Merit in the Healthcare Facilities category by DBIA. Meeting the growing need of a California border community, the Hensel Phelps/ SmithGroup team designed and constructed this impressive seven-story, inpatient hospital tower ahead of schedule and under budget. Within the 106-bed tower, there is a grand two-story lobby...
2019 University of California, Riverside Multidisciplinary Research Building
DBIA awarded the University of California, Riverside Multidisciplinary Research Building project the National Award of Merit in the Industrial, Process and Research Facilities category. Defining the gateway to a cross-disciplinary research hub for life/chemical sciences, medicine, and engineering, this five-story building is home to four floors of open, collaborative laboratories over a vivarium. The facility holds 40,000 NSF of wet/dry/flex laboratory space for 40 wet/damp research grounds and ten dry/computational research groups, as...
2020 San Ysidro Land Port of Entry – Phase 2
The Design-Build Institute of America awarded both the National Award of Excellence and the National Award of Merit in the Federal, State, County, Municipal category to the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Phase 2 project. The $156 million, design-build, San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Phase-2 project was designed and constructed to be the first government-owned 24-hour/365-day facility to achieve LEED Platinum, NetZero Energy, and NetZero Water Certifications. The overhauled 39-acre...
2020 The University of California, Irvine – Middle Earth Housing Expansion
DBIA awarded the University of California, Irvine – Middle Earth Housing Expansion project with both the National Award of Excellence and National Award of Merit in the Educational Facilities category. The $102 million, 214,000 SF, Middle Earth Housing Expansion project (Middle Earth Towers) is an expansion of the existing Middle Earth Student Housing undergraduate complex on the University of California, Irvine (UCI) campus. Middle Earth Towers housing and student-life center provide 510...
2020 Eagle County Regional Airport Expansion and Remodel
The Design-Build Institute of America awarded the Eagle County Regional Airport Expansion and Remodel the National Award of Merit in the Aviation category for 2020. The Eagle County Regional Airport Expansion and Remodel project is a design-build expansion and remodel of the existing airline terminal at the Eagle County Regional Airport. The primary project component was the construction of a new two-level concourse for airside passenger arrival and departure. The second...
2021 Caltech Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Neuroscience Research Building
The Design-Build Institute of America awarded the Caltech Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Neuroscience Research Building the 2021 National Award of Merit in the Industrial / Process / Research Facilities category. The new 144,780 SF, five-story research building will serve as the university’s new administrative and knowledge center for the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering. The $188 million state-of-the-art research facility fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration by providing “research neighborhoods”, providing wet,...
2021 University of California, San Diego Nuevo West Graduate Student Housing
DBIA awarded the University of California, San Diego Nuevo West Graduate Student Housing project with both the 2021 National Award of Merit in the Educational Facilities category. The University of California, San Diego Nuevo West Graduate Student Housing is a $151 million mixed-use residential community that totals 441,788 SF within two residential buildings and a market. The Nuevo West residential community provides a total of 884 new beds for graduate...
2021 Nashville International Airport Concourse D and Terminal Wings
The Design-Build Institute of America awarded the 2021 National Award of Merit in the Aviation category to the Nashville International Airport Concourse D and Terminal Wings project. The BNA Concourse D and Terminal Wings project set a new standard for progressive design-build. In just 29 months, the design and construction of this 302,400 sf project— which includes 240,000 sf of new work and renovation of 93,000 SF in the existing...
2022 Department of General Services California Air Resources Board – Mary D. Nichols Campus
Hensel Phelps' Department of General Services California Air Resources Board – Mary D. Nichols Campus received Design-Build Institute of America's 2022 National Award of Merit in the Federal/State/County/Municipal category. The Mary D. Nichols Campus project consolidated California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) seven existing locations spread throughout Los Angeles into a single 19-acre location in Riverside, CA. The $411 million state-of-the-art facility includes an extended range of dedicated test cells for...
2022 Sound Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility East
The Design-Build Institute of America awarded the 2022 National Award of Merit in the Industrial/Process/Research Facilities category to the Sound Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility East project. Sound Transit (ST) sought to double its Light Rail Vehicles (LRV) fleet to support the East Link expansion of the light rail network to connect downtown Seattle to communities on the east side of Lake Washington. The project required a joint land-use entitlement...
2023 UCSD Nuevo East Graduate Student Housing
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Nuevo East Graduate Student Housing project received a 2023 National Award of Merit in the Educational Facilities category from the Design-Build Institute of America. The UCSD Nuevo East Graduate Student Housing project is a mixed-use residential community that includes 712,000 total sq. ft. of five mid- and high-rise residential buildings housing 1,374 students in one- to four-bedroom apartments and townhomes. A sixth building,...
2023 Tampa International Airport, Blue Express Curbside
The Design-Build Institute of America awarded the 2023 National Award of Excellence and National Award of Merit in the Aviation category to the Tampa International Airport, Blue Express Curbsides project. The Blue Express Curbsides project is the first-of-its-kind solution that created eight new lanes that allow passengers without checked bags to bypass ticketing and baggage claim and go directly to and from their gates. The project also included the construction...
2023 1021 O Street State Office Building
The 1021 O Street State Office Building received four awards including 2023 Project of the Year, Best in Process – Progressive Design-Build, National Award of Excellence and National Award of Merit from the Design-Build Institute of America in the Federal/State/County/Municipal category. The 1021 O Street State Office Building will serve as the temporary home for California’s legislative and executive elected officials and staff while the State of California Capital Annex...
2024 BNA Terminal Lobby and International Arrivals Facility
The BNA Terminal Lobby and International Arrivals Facility was recognized with three prestigious awards from the Design-Build Institute of America, including Best in BIM/VDC, a National Award of Excellence in the Aviation category and a National Award of Merit in the Aviation category. This transformative project redefines the passenger experience at Nashville International Airport, integrating cutting-edge design-build innovation with advanced virtual construction technologies to enhance capacity, streamline operations and elevate...
2024 Colorado Convention Center Expansion
The Colorado Convention Center Expansion project was honored with the National Award of Merit in the Civic/Assembly category by the Design‑Build Institute of America. This next‑generation expansion delivers a transformative addition to Denver’s downtown, including the 80,000 sq ft column‑free Bluebird Ballroom, a sweeping rooftop terrace with panoramic Rocky Mountain and skyline views and seamless integration with existing public assembly spaces. Through progressive design‑build collaboration, the team elevated operational resilience and capacity,...
