UCSD HEALTH SCIENCES GRADUATE STUDENT HOUSING, SAN DIEGO, CA

The UC San Diego Health Services Graduate Student Housing complex is a Design Build project located on an existing parking lot adjacent to the VA Hospital. Designed as a University-owned residential apartment building, it consists of 225 two-bedroom apartments, 1 three-bedroom apartment, and associated support spaces.

The complex is composed of two "L" shaped wings, one of nine stories and the other of seven. When combined together, these two wings account for approximately 230,000 gsf in program, mechanical and circulation areas.

An elevator tower connects all the floors of both wings where the two buildings touch. Adjacent to the elevators are all the major services in the building. The lobby, building offices and other student services are located on the second floor. On the fourth floor - overlooking the green roof - are vending machines, laundry and fitness facilities. For the convenience of the staff, even the service spaces on the lowest level are immediately adjacent to the elevators and can also be accessed from the service drive to the east.

Every corridor is flooded with natural light at one end, and wherever possible at both ends. With some variations, there are two typical room types: in-line apartments and apartments at the ends of the wings. Each bedroom has a closet and space for a study desk, queen-size bed, dresser and night stand. The interiors are primarily exposed structural concrete. The project is scheduled to receive LEED Silver certification.

Sustainable features include:
  • Stormwater Design - Using Best Management Practices, 90% of the average annual rainfall will be captured and treated.
  • Reducing Heat Island Effect - Roofing materials with a high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) are designed to reduce the heat island effect of the roof.
  • Water Efficiency - 50% of the potable water consumption for landscape irrigation will be reduced by selecting drought tolerant plantings and using high efficiency irrigation fixtures. Potable water consumption will be reduced by 40% in the building.
  • Energy Efficiency - The energy consumption of the building will be reduced by 21% from baseline. 70% of the building's electricity will be purchased from offsite Renewable Energy Credits (REC's) sources for a minimum of two-years.
  • Emissions - All refrigerants used minimize the emission of compounds that contribute to ozone depletion and global warming.
  • Materials & Resources - 75% of the construction and demolition debris will be recycled or salvaged. Materials will be used with recycled content such that the percent recycled constituted 10% (based on cost) of the total materials. Regional materials will be used such that the percent of regional materials constituted 10% (based on cost) of the total materials.
  • Wood - 50% of the new permanently installed wood used will be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
  • Ventilation - Outside air ventilation rates have been increased by 30% above the minimum rates required to introduce more fresh air into the building.
  • Low-Emitting Materials - All adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, composite wood, and agrifiber products will have low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) to increase the quality of indoor air.
  • Views of the Outdoors - Greater than 90% of regularly occupied spaces will have a direct line of sight to the outdoor environment.
  • Innovation - Educational Kiosk - A sustainability public educational program will be displayed to building occupants.

UPDATE

JUNE 2010

The UCSD Graduate Student Housing project is progressing onward after being topped off in January. Exterior finishes, glazing and roofing are nearly completed. Floors 1 through 4 are complete with finishes and the final cleaning has commenced. MEP Finishes, Commissioning, Interior finishes and site work are all pushing forward keeping the project on schedule to finish mid September, 2010.
































Owner: University of California San Diego
Architect: Valerio Dewalt Train

Design/Build Student Housing
2 buildings
225 two bedroom apartment and 1 three bedroom
Concrete Structure
230,000 sf
Seeking LEED NC Silver