An independent jury of design and construction professionals selected ENR California's 2012 Best Projects. Entries were judged on five main criteria: Teamwork and Overcoming Challenges; Safety; Innovation and Contribution; Construction Quality and Craftsmanship; and Function and Aesthetic Quality of the Design. The jury could select one Project of the Year and multiple Awards of Merit in each category. Jurors also picked an overall Project of the Year, representing the best work across all categories. Jurors abstained from voting on projects with which they are affiliated or have a conflict of interest. This year, a jury of safety professionals also chose winners for our first-ever Best Safety Project awards.