As the year ends, we’re reflecting on the moments that shaped the past twelve months. Looking back reminds us that architecture goes beyond designing buildings to enrich communities, and that it is the people, places and partnerships that make our work possible.
A few highlights of 2025:
Expansion of The San Diego Museum of Art
One of the most significant stories of the year was SRA’s selection to be the Executive Architect for the expansion and renovation of The San Diego Museum of Art at the heart of Balboa Park, working alongside Design Architect, Foster + Partners. Together, our teams are reimagining SDMA as a cultural destination that will delight many future generations.
Read the San Diego Union-Tribune article here.
Breaking ground on a CSU San Marcos recreation center
Another major milestone arrived this past November as our project team broke ground on the new North Campus Student Housing and Recreation Center. The 310,000-square-foot project blends student housing with a wellness and recreation center that will serve the CSU San Marcos community.
Midway Rising takes a step forward
This past September, Midway Rising received unanimous approval from the San Diego Planning Commission, moving the project one step closer to reality as it heads into 2026. As one of San Diego’s most transformative developments in recent years, the 50-acre Midway Rising plan aims to bring more than 4,000 residential units, a 16,000-seat arena, and a dynamic mix of entertainment, dining and retail to the Sports Arena neighborhood.
Modernization of a 100-year-old elementary school
This year SRA celebrated the completion of Franklin Elementary STEAM Magnet School’s upgraded learning environments, new outdoor spaces, and modernized facilities – honoring the school’s legacy and while looking forward to its future as an integral part of the San Diego’s historic Kensington neighborhood.
Before the year ended, we also revealed renderings for another whole site modernization within the San Diego Unified School District – this time, for Bird Rock Elementary. Grab a glimpse of the future campus here.
Community Events and Tours
Throughout the year SRA participated in several events and architectural tours that fostered dialogue, inspired students, and connected the community. A few moments included:
• Open House San Diego: In March we opened our office to the public for one day, giving visitors an inside look at our studio as part of the annual OHSD event organized by the San Diego Architecture Foundation.
• AIA COTE + SRA: In collaboration with AIA San Diego’s Committee on the Environment, we hosted a special evening event at which we presented sustainable design strategies for UC San Diego’s Marine Conservation and Technology Facility, an adaptive reuse and LEED Gold project.
• Previewing an Urban Park: Toward end of year we led the San Diego Architecture Foundation and the Urban Land Institute on tours of East Village Green, to preview this nearly-complete, four-acre downtown park and recreation center in downtown San Diego.
Awards and Recognition
For the second year in a row, San Diego Magazine named SRA the Best Architect in San Diego (2024 and 2025), a moment of recognition that is meaningful to us as a firm deeply rooted in our region. In addition, we were happy to see our projects receive several awards this year, including a Circulate San Diego Momentum Award for Sustainable Growth, given to the North City Master Plan; and an American Public Works Association Project of the Year award for the Imperial County Criminal Courthouse; and North Torrey Pines Living & Learning Neighborhood at UC San Diego was named a finalist for the Urban Land Institute Americas Award for Excellence.
Reflecting on these any many more moments that shaped 2025, we’re grateful for another year of meaningful work, partnerships, and a team that continues to inspire us – and as we turn toward 2026, we look forward to building on this momentum and seeing what the New Year brings.