Marine Ecosystems Lab, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Their design excellence is the result of the team taking the time to truly understand our campus culture and values.
M. Boone Hellmann
Associate Vice Chancellor, Campus Architect, UCSD
Marine Ecosystems Lab, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UCSD)
La Jolla, California
40,000 SF
Client Notes
Create an innovative and sustainable lab building that brings together scientists from scattered locations around the University of California San Diego campus, supports their important work to study and protect the marine ecosystem, and gives them access to their larger laboratory: the Pacific Ocean. Design a building that both responds to the harsh marine environment, and fits seamlessly into the delicate nature of the cliff-side site and larger context of the Scripps historic campus.
Designer Notes
Design decisions were viewed through the lenses of sustainability, response to site, and the need for state-of-the-art lab space to facilitate crucial research. The overall building design capitalizes on the natural beauty of its surroundings while being directly responsive to the local microclimate's strong winds, harsh sun, and salty marine air. Given the site's stunning views, careful attention was given to maximizing daylight and ocean horizon views, while controlling late afternoon glare off the water surface, and heat gain on the building envelope. Thermal mass keeps the building energy efficient, and windows provide natural ventilation and further reduce energy needs.
Certifications
LEED Platinum
2030 Compliant
Recognition
California Higher Education Sustainable Design, Honorable Mention, 2015
People
Susan Barnes / Tracey Olson / Jane Barker / Alexander Lungershausen / Jake Freauff / Laurie Canup
Jonah Cohen, Design Principal
