2025 West Best Projects
Best K-12 Education: Del Mar Heights School

Del Mar Heights School
San Diego
BEST PROJECT
Submitted by Balfour Beatty
Owner Del Mar Union School District
Lead Design Firm DLR Group
General Contractor Balfour Beatty
Civil Engineer SWS Engineering
Structural Engineer KNA Structural Engineers
Mechanical/Plumbing Engineer MA Engineers
Electrical Engineer Johnson Consulting Engineers
Landscape Architect GroundLevel Inc.
As a replacement for an aging K-6 elementary school, this $61-million, 69,000-sq-ft campus is composed of simple shed-roofed, open structures along a campus boardwalk lined with beach sand and coastal grasses.
Scope included demolition of the existing facility, interim housing construction on two district campuses and the new campus itself. Located on a 10.5-acre site, the school features three buildings that house 23 K-6 learning studios, three STEAM+ learning studios, after-school program spaces, learning common areas, an innovation center and a multiuse room with a stage and kitchen. Multiple historical artifacts were salvaged from the demolition and reinstalled as well, including a mosaic serpent and the historic El Camino Real bell.
Sustainability was at the forefront of design, incorporating energy-conscious features such as north-facing windows for natural light, thermal massing in concrete floors and passive heating and cooling systems. Ignition-resistant construction ensures the project meets stringent safety standards as well. Reflective insulation and solar-reflective surfaces enhance the building envelope’s insulation values as well, while overhangs and trellises provide abundant shade.
Photo by Emil Kara/ Balfour Beatty
An unusually intense rainy season posed significant threats to the adjacent Torrey Pines State Reserve, which is a sensitive ecosystem. To remain on track, the team pumped more than 175,000 gallons of water from the site and implemented robust stormwater management measures that included landscaped bioswales and repaired stormwater outfalls. These features will also provide student learning opportunities about ecological preservation while amplifying environmental stewardship.
After the original structural steel subcontractor defaulted, the project was left with gaps in material supply and design execution. Once a new sub was brought on board, a meticulous inventory process identified missing steel and fabrication errors. The team worked to ensure the structural steel scope advanced without derailing the project schedule.


