SDSU Brawley Won ENR Best Project Award 2026
A.O. Reed is proud to have contributed to the award-winning San Diego State University Imperial Valley Sciences and Engineering Laboratories (STEM Building) in Brawley, recently recognized by Engineering News-Record (ENR) California as the 2026 Best Project in the Higher Education/Research category. This prestigious distinction automatically advances the project for consideration in ENR's national Best of the Best Projects Awards, which honor the top projects across the United States.
The new facility represents a major investment in the future of STEM education, research, and workforce development in Imperial Valley. Developed as part of SDSU's commitment to supporting California's emerging "Lithium Valley" economy, the project expands access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs while creating new opportunities for students pursuing careers in advanced energy, sustainability, healthcare, and scientific research. Located on the SDSU Imperial Valley campus in Brawley, the state-of-the-art Sciences and Engineering Laboratories facility was designed to become the campus's academic centerpiece and a catalyst for innovation throughout the region. The building houses teaching laboratories, research spaces, STEM collaboration areas, and specialized facilities supporting science and engineering programs.
The project was intentionally designed to support current and future workforce demands associated with Imperial Valley's expanding geothermal and lithium industries. Flexible laboratories, collaborative research environments, and dedicated innovation spaces allow students, faculty, industry partners, and researchers to work together on emerging technologies and scientific advancements. One of the project's most significant achievements is its commitment to sustainability. The facility was designed as an all-electric building, aligning with California's decarbonization goals and serving as a model for future educational and laboratory facilities statewide. The project was also designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, demonstrating a strong focus on energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, and long-term operational performance.
As the mechanical and plumbing contractor, A.O. Reed played a critical role in delivering the highly specialized building systems required for the advanced STEM and laboratory environment. Our scope included installation of:
Chilled water and heating hot water systems utilizing a 220-ton air-cooled chiller and heat pump technology.
100% outside air handling units supporting laboratory environments.
Advanced laboratory airflow control systems with Accutrol supply and exhaust valves.
Domestic hot water systems powered by air-source heat pumps.
Specialized laboratory systems including compressed air, laboratory vacuum, propane distribution, and RO/DI water systems with point-of-use polishing capabilities.
These systems support the facility's mission of delivering cutting-edge research and teaching capabilities while maintaining energy performance and indoor environmental quality standards expected in modern laboratory facilities.
For more than 30 years, ENR's Best Projects Awards program has recognized the construction industry's most outstanding achievements. Unlike awards that focus on individual firms, ENR evaluates and honors the entire project team. Independent industry leaders judge projects based on safety, innovation, teamwork, overcoming challenges, design excellence, and construction quality. Receiving the ENR California Best Project Award highlights the exceptional collaboration between SDSU, designers, builders, trade partners, and project stakeholders who worked together to deliver a transformational educational facility for Imperial Valley. For A.O. Reed, this project reflects our continued commitment to delivering complex higher education, laboratory, and research facilities that advance innovation, sustainability, and community impact. The SDSU Imperial Valley STEM Building will serve generations of students, researchers, and industry leaders while helping shape the future workforce powering California's growing clean energy economy.