Hensel Phelps is proud to celebrate the success of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Albuquerque Administrative Office Building project, a landmark achievement in federal construction that has earned multiple prestigious awards for excellence in design, execution, and collaboration.
A Vision Realized at Kirtland Air Force Base
Located at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) in New Mexico, the new 77,110-square-foot DTRA facility consolidates operations previously housed in World War II-era dormitories into a cutting-edge, energy-efficient, three-story administrative building. Designed to support over 250 Department of Defense civil servants and uniformed service members, the facility includes hoteling spaces for temporary workers, large meeting rooms and shared conference areas—all tailored to enhance operational efficiency and mission readiness. More project details are provided HERE.
Jacobs, the project architect, aligned the design with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) mission to improve the quality of the military-built environment. The result is a life cycle cost-effective facility that meets user requirements while promoting sustainability and energy efficiency.
Award-Winning Excellence
The DTRA Albuquerque Office Building has been recognized across multiple industry platforms for its outstanding achievements:
2025 Engineering News-Record (ENR) Mountain States Best Project
Category: Government/Public Building
This award honors the most exceptional construction projects in the region, judged by independent panels of industry experts. Projects are evaluated on criteria such as safety, innovation, teamwork, design and construction quality and contributions to the community. Winning this award places the DTRA project among the top-tier developments in the Mountain States region and qualifies it for ENR’s national “Best of the Best Projects” competition.
2025 Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America – New Mexico Chapter
Grand Prize of Show – Federal & Heavy Category
This top honor in the Best Buildings Awards celebrates the project that best exemplifies excellence in design and construction.
2024 Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) New Mexico Chapter
Golden Eagle Award – Government Over $20 Million
Company Merit Award – Most Merit Shop Subcontractors
Hensel Phelps successfully partnered with 13 local ABC New Mexico Chapter members, demonstrating a strong commitment to the merit shop philosophy and local workforce engagement.
2022 Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)
Merit Award – Best Design Category
Recognized for its innovative and mission-driven design that enhances the built environment and supports federal agency operations.
A New Benchmark in Federal Construction
The DTRA Albuquerque Office Building sets a new standard for federal facilities at KAFB, proving that high-performance, modern design can be achieved within conventional budget constraints. This project not only supports national security efforts but also showcases the power of collaboration, innovation and excellence in commercial construction.
Learn how Hensel Phelps delivers complex construction solutions across markets by visiting our Projects Page.
