Six Projects Recognized by ENR as Regional Best Projects

Each year, Engineering News-Record recognizes its best project winners by region. These projects distinguish themselves through their ability to overcome challenges, showcase innovative ideas, and deliver exceptional quality of work. Several of our projects claimed multiple honors across regions and categories.

Best Project

Kinder Land Bridges sits in the heart of Houston’s enormous Memorial Park. It spans over Memorial Drive, a winding six-lane throughway that had been the park’s most divisive and dangerous feature for 70 years. The land bridge comprises two pairs of cylindrical tunnels—the west pair is 571 feet long and the east pair is 417 feet long.

Award of Merit

Travis County Civil and Family Courts is a 12-story, 448,000-sf structure located in downtown Austin. It includes 25 courtrooms, with a single-level below-grade garage. The adjacent plaza comprises five levels of below-grade parking topped with a green roof. The project has received an Austin Energy Green Building 4 Star Rating (out of 5 stars maximum) and a LEED Gold designation.

Best Cultural/Worship

Orange County Museum of Art is a 53,000-square-foot building at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne and his firm, Morphosis. It includes nearly 25,000 SF of exhibit space and 10,000 SF for education, performances, and public gatherings.

Best Project

Emory University Health Science Research Building is a state-of-the-art facility that provides pediatric and cancer research as well as laboratory modules for drug discovery. The building features a vivarium with over 10,000 square feet of laboratory space. The 6,000 SF, two-story pedestrian bridge provides a connection between the Health Sciences Research Building and the Emory Children’s Center as well as a clinical office and research space.

Project of the Year

Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU Wonder Tower embarked on a mission to enhance patient accessibility and experience. The 86-bed tower increased the capacity for imaging services, operating rooms, family amenities, as well as multiple collaboration, and educational spaces. The enclosed 280-foot pedestrian skybridge links the tower to the VCU Medical Center Main Hospital.

Best Project

The Aerie is a one-of-a-kind mountain resort that sits at 11,000 feet at the top of the American Eagle lift. It features a cafeteria-style dining, a formal restaurant, a café, and two bars, all with stunning views of the Colorado Rockies.