County of San Diego's Southeastern Live Well Center Named Project of the Year by Engineering-News Record
One of the construction industry's highest honors, the award recognizes PCL Construction and Steinberg
Hart's commitment to local workforce development and sustainability in the building's design.
SAN DIEGO, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - PCL Construction Services, Inc. and Steinberg Hart are proud to announce that their Southeastern Live Well Center (SELWC) project for the County of San Diego has been honored with the prestigious Project of the Year award as part of Engineering News-Record's (ENR) National Best of the Best Awards. Recognized from over 800 entries and 200 regional winners, the award underscores PCL and design partner Steinberg Hart's excellence in teamwork, safety, sustainability and community involvement.
Spanning 65,000 square feet, SELWC is a Zero-Net-Energy and LEED Gold certified facility that offers services to promote the health and well-being of San Diego County residents. The facility provides an array of community services including food and nutrition assistance, financial and employment assistance, public health, child support, social services for older adults and people with disabilities and military and veterans' services. The project vision aligned the efforts of over 550 partners, including individuals, organizations, and governments, to help all 3.3 million San Diego County residents live well.
The ENR National Best of the Best Awards are evaluated by an independent panel of 19 industry experts. The Southeastern Live Well Center stood out for its groundbreaking approach in community engagement, sustainability, safety and the trauma-informed design of the facility.
"The Southeastern Live Well Center team was united in our mission to help transform lives in Southeastern San Diego through the built environment," says Lucas Mallory, area manager who leads PCL's San Diego Office. "Winning Project of the Year is especially meaningful as it demonstrates what can be achieved through local partnerships and a community-first mindset."
"At the Southeastern Live Well Center, we set out to design a space that embodies the resilience, diversity and creativity of San Diego," shared Vincent Mudd, managing partner of Steinberg Hart's San Diego Office. "Through the integration of public art, natural light and welcoming spaces, the center not only serves as a vital resource but also as a place where people see themselves reflected in their surroundings. Building upon our 30-year history of working with the County of San Diego, this project reinforces the SELWC team's shared commitment to design that uplifts and empowers our local communities. We are honored to have played a role in bringing this vision to life alongside PCL Construction."
View photos of the Southeastern Live Well Center on PCL.com.
Award-Winning Project Highlights:
Commitment to local and disadvantaged businesses
PCL exceeded the County's goal of investing 10% of the contracted project value, or $6 million, in the local community, as defined by four zip codes surrounding the project site, ultimately spending over $8 million. The company partnered with multiple local firms, including a Disabled Veteran Business Entity subcontractor on a $3 million structural steel contract. Additionally, PCL collaborated with the Black Contractors Association and the Associated General Contractors to provide training to new trade workers, providing job security by placing individuals with subcontractors working on future projects in the area.
Community-first strategy
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), comprised of community ambassadors, played a vital role in shaping the project. The committee participated in Design-Build team selection, value engineering discussions and design decisions, ensuring the project prioritized the community's needs and vision.
Sustainability leadership
The SELWC is a beacon of sustainable innovation: an all-electric, Zero-Net-Energy facility designed to offset at least 110% of its energy consumption through renewable sources. Key sustainability features include:
- Energy usage 15% more efficient than the minimum required by California law
- 24 electric vehicle chargers with infrastructure for expansion
- Bioswales and modular wetland systems for stormwater management
- Recycled water for irrigation
- Use of recycled materials
Trauma-informed design
Trauma-informed design is present throughout the SELWC to create spaces that are calming and minimize the potential for re-traumatization of patrons. Upon entering the lobby, visitors encounter spacious areas bathed in natural light. The natural daylight paired with the interior's warm color palette makes the spaces feel warm and inviting. Public waiting areas feature comfortable seating arranged to minimize face-to-face encounters, fostering a non-threatening environment.
Public Art Integration
A defining feature of the SELWC is its commitment to public art, seamlessly blending artistic expression with functional architecture to create a space that is visually inspiring and culturally meaningful. The facility showcases 52 local art installations, making it one of the most significant public art programs in California. The collection features a diverse range of local and internationally acclaimed artists, each contributing pieces that celebrate the history, resilience and cultural richness of the community.
Climate resilience
Located in a Federal Emergency Management Agency flood zone, the project was strategically designed with elevated structures, cantilevered floors and hidden retaining walls to mitigate flood risks. In January 2024, the site withstood a historic 3-inch rainfall in under three hours without sustaining any damage.
Safety Excellence
The SELWC project maintained an exemplary safety record, with over 212,000 hours worked without a single recordable incident or lost time. PCL's innovative safety training program included on-site sessions with DeWalt power tools' safety experts, weekly training for workers from small business enterprises and extensive collaboration between PCL and the County of San Diego's safety professionals.
The SELWC serves as a vehicle for economic growth in the region, built for and by the local community.
About PCL Construction
PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $8 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company's 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL's leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com.
About Steinberg Hart
Steinberg Hart is an international architecture, interiors and planning firm grounded in core values of design, relationships and change, resulting in tangible, memorable and impactful architecture. Centered around design, teams across eight offices combine firmwide expertise with intimate local knowledge, creating authentic and innovative designs that challenge norms and resonate with the communities they serve. For over 70 years, Steinberg Hart has shaped environments and created inspiring places that build community, enhance business, support learning and connect people with place. Steinberg Hart is known for innovation in design thinking and building technologies that help clients realize the full potential of their projects, working together to create the world we want. To learn more, visit https://www.steinberghart.com/.
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SOURCE PCL Construction