Sustainable and innovative projects in California and Oregon took top honors in the Third Annual CEMEX U.S. Building Awards, announced last night at a reception at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 trade show in Las Vegas. From a juvenile justice center built to maximize sustainability to a ground-breaking water bypass system geared to improve the downstream migration of salmon, the projects executed the highest degree of innovation and vision for the environment.

"We are pleased that more and more architects, builders and contractors are finding ways to not only build their projects better, but to use cement, concrete and aggregates to build a sustainable future while achieving amazing designs," said Gilberto Perez, President of CEMEX USA. "CEMEX congratulates all the entrants on thinking green and putting it into action."

The awards recognize the best builders, designers and architects in the following categories: Sustainability, Residential, Institutional/Industrial, and Infrastructure. Winners were chosen from the 19 finalists and were highlighted for their use of concrete, execution of the project, architectural design, and attention for the environment.

Many of the 73 entries included concrete as a green material used in harmony with the environment. The U.S. winners will later compete against winners from across the globe for the world title at the 17th CEMEX International Building Awards in Monterrey, Mexico, in October.

The Sustainability Category finalists were assessed on their innovative design and construction, effective use of recycled materials and energy-efficient construction. Judges also considered the project's ability to meet environmental and economic needs of both present and future generations. In addition, the functional performance of the project was considered – how it leverages productivity, health of the occupants and flexibility during the project's lifespan.

Sustainability Award Recipient and Institutional/Industrial Award Recipient: Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center, San Leandro, Calif.

Located in the hills of San Leandro, Calif., the new 379,000 square foot Juvenile Justice Center has set national standards for serving the community's most vulnerable and troubled youth. The Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center is a state-of-the-art complex including a 360-bed Juvenile Detention Center, along with an integrated courthouse of five courtrooms and offices for the District Attorney, Public Defender, Clerk of the Court, Sheriff, Health Care Services, County Office of Education, Library, and Probation.

The center is equipped with high-tech security features and incorporates medical exam rooms, dental facilities, and indoor activity spaces. Designed to greatly improve the safety and security of employees and detainees, the facility maximizes sustainability concepts by including a healthy indoor environment with natural light and fresh air and on-site solar power generation capabilities that will save taxpayer's dollars through energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction.

The contract required the facility to achieve a LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). However, the design-build team exceeded this, making it the first LEED Gold Certified facility of its kind in the U.S.

Hensel Phelps Construction Co. was the builder and concrete contractor and Hellmuth, Obata, and Kassabaum (HOK) was the architect/engineer on the project.