University of California San Diego Theater District Living and Learning Neighborhood
La Jolla, California
Merit Award, Sustainability and Merit Award, Higher Education/Research
Presented by Kitchell
owner University of California at San Diego (UCSD)
Leading design company HKS Inc.
General Contractor Kitchell Contractors
Civil Engineer WSP USA
Structural Engineer Walter P Moore
MEP engineer Master Engineers
Associate Architect Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects
landscape SWA group
What was once a 10-acre parking lot is now a mixed-use academic gateway that will meet an urgent need for student housing. This $508 million learning district is home to 2,000 students and includes 30,000 square feet of classroom space, 30,000 square feet of retail, support facilities for a new university and 1,200 underground parking spaces.
Using BIM from conceptual design onwards, the team performed climate-specific simulations on solar orientation, daylighting and passive survival. These analyzes shaped the decisions above, reducing reliance on mechanical systems and increasing the building’s long-term performance. This strategy resulted in an 80% reduction in projected energy consumption, a 50% reduction in indoor lighting power and a 16% reduction in global warming potential avoiding over 7.9 million kg of CO2.
Green infrastructure helped the LEED Platinum-equivalent project meet multiple sustainability goals. A continuous greenbelt around the site functions as a biophilic amenity and visible stormwater management system, reducing runoff by 26,000 gallons annually. Throughout the property, the permeable landscape sequesters 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
A comprehensive prefabrication effort made it possible to manufacture and install 1,391 exterior and 11,837 interior panels. Laser scanning, drone imaging, OpenSpace and collision detection minimized rework and ensured precision assembly.
