University of Arizona Facilities Design and Construction has been named part of a dream team of design and construction organizations by the Cornerstone Building Foundation.

The UA unit, known as FDC, was named Owner of the Year by the foundation, which means that the University showed itself to be the most outstanding owner of building projects in the past year.

"This is a big, big honor for us because it comes from our peers," said Peter Dourlein, associate director of Facilities Design and Construction. "It's a big-time recognition."

Other dream team awards are Architect of the Year, Design Consultant of the Year, General Contractor of the Year, Professional Service Company of the Year, Subcontractor of the Year and Supplier of the Year.

The UA was one of 28 nominees for the award. Design and construction industry professionals from Southern Arizona decided the winner by vote.

Cornerstone is a partnership between the National Association of Women in Construction, the Arizona Builders Alliance, the American Institute of Architects, the American Consulting Engineers Association and the Construction Specification Institute. The foundation recognizes skill, responsibility and integrity in the construction industry and design professions through its awards program.

In selecting the UA for an award, the foundation noted that FDC is "dedicated to working with the design and construction community to build a high quality environment to serve the University and surrounding community."

"The folks on our team are very experienced," Dourlein said, noting that their professional interaction with industry organizations and with the University contributed to FDC winning the award.

"This is confirmation that we're doing things right," Dourlein said. "It's one of the biggest honors that we can receive."