Structural and Materials Engineering Building

University of California, San Diego
  • Structural Engineering - Composite Material

    Photo by Nic Lehoux

  • Structural Engineering - Non-Destructive Evaluation

    Photo by Nic Lehoux

  • Visual Arts Studio

    Photo by Nic Lehoux

The 183,000-sf Structural and Materials Engineering Building at UCSD houses several engineering departments, including Structural Engineering and NanoEngineering, as well as the Department of Visual Arts. Inspired by Bauhaus principles, the building's design fosters interaction between arts and engineering disciplines through gathering spaces, communal circulation, and shared computer and research laboratories. Offices are grouped around a variety of open meeting spaces to enhance collaboration while maintaining privacy.

UCSD’s Structural Engineering and NanoEngineering departments gain research laboratories for nanotube technologies and new composite structure materials for the aerospace, construction, and computer and electrical equipment industries. The facility also includes space for high-bay testing equipment, an autoclave area, long-term testing suites for material processing, digital imaging computer rooms, large workshop spaces for student projects, a library, classrooms, and offices for faculty and staff. The Visual Arts Department is accommodated with shared computer labs, video editing suites, presentation and gallery spaces, an auditorium, a fabrication workshop, and studios for faculty and graduate students.

Outdoor amphitheater-style seating encourages casual interaction and can be transformed into an indoor/outdoor performance space by opening the walls up to the adjacent auditorium. A pedestrian bridge that connects the building to the main campus thoroughfares helps make this building a locus of campus activity.

Project Data
Project Type: 
New Construction
Completion Date: 
August, 2012
Location: 
La Jolla, CA, United States
Delivery Method: 
General Contractor (GC)
Project GSF: 
183,333
Building Descriptors: 
Education: Classroom
Education: Multimedia
Education: Theater
Engineering
Laboratory
Laboratory: Research
Laboratory: Teaching
Materials Science
Theater
Theater: Multimedia
Organizations
Architect
Miller Hull Partnership
Architect
Safdie Rabines Architects
Builder
M. A. Mortenson Construction
Consultant - Civil Engineer
RBF Consulting
Consultant - Code
Churchill Engineering
Consultant - Communications
Syska Hennessy Group
Consultant - Cost Estimating
Campbell-Anderson & Assoc.
Consultant - Electrical Engineer
Syska Hennessy Group
Consultant - Elevator
Lerch Bates
Consultant - Fire Protection
Protection Design & Consulting
Consultant - Laboratory Planner
Consultant - Landscape Architect
Office of James Burnett
Consultant - Mechanical Engineer
IBE Consulting Engineers
Consultant - Plumbing Engineer
IBE Consulting Engineers
Consultant - Structural Engineer
Englekirk Institutional
Supplier - Air Handlers
Haakon Industries
Supplier - Building Automation Controls
Johnson Controls Inc.
Supplier - Carpet
La Mesa Carpet
Supplier - Casework
Campbell Rhea
Supplier - Fume Hoods
Mott Manufacturing
Published 4-9-2013