Context:
This 40,000 SF county services building located at 1701 Mission Avenue in Oceanside, California was completed in September 2018. Our site approach placed the building proudly on the corner of Mission & Barnes to increase the project’s civic presence. This placement also allows for easy access to the lobby for pedestrians, as well as those arriving in cars, and by bus. By creating a two-sided entry, we have maximized the civic presence, which allows the public to flow back and forth through the lobby from the street to the protected courtyard sides.
Special Challenges - Adaptability:
To address current parking needs and allow for future inexpensive swing space that can be easily enclosed, we lofted one wing of the building up a level. This allowed us to create room for a parking structure and increase parking capacity. Understanding that the building program departments will change over time, the building was designed for adaptability. Office spaces along the perimeter of the exterior envelope are made of non-load bearing medium-high partitions, which enable user privacy, while allowing light and fresh air to travel above to reach circulation and common spaces. This flips the traditional office layout so that more of the building’s occupants benefit from the wellness attributes associated with daylighting while also allowing for change over time.
Budget, Cost & Resiliency:
Cost per square foot of construction is $418 with a total construction cost of $16,727,000. The goal was to create a LEED Platinum and ZNE-Certified building rooted in WELL (IWBI) principles on a shoestring budget. With a predicted Energy Use Intensity of 34 kBtu/SF/Yr, and Lighting Power Density of 0.65 w/SF, this project exceeds expectations. Water conservation measures include the use of native and low water use landscaping, tailored bioswales, detention basins that treat on-site water, and the use of low-use fixtures throughout the project. Using zero fossil fuels and powered entirely by the sun, this facility is designed to perform 30% better than Title 24, and the 307kW onsite PV-array generates 450,000 kWh/yr (110% of energy target).
Design Solution:
At first glance, one may not notice that this is a tilt-up concrete building as the terracing building mass responds to community scale. Articulated vertical shade sails protect the lobby and glass from solar heat gain while referencing the nautical history of the region. The U-shaped plan cradles the east courtyard entry that’s protected from prevailing onshore coastal winds while offering access to daylight and views. The plan offers unique opportunities to choreograph daylight rhythms that drive light deep across each floor via large windows on the north façade. Horizontal shades along the south façade block unwanted glare while inviting soothing ambient light deep inside. The interior tells a coastal story using natural warm wood tones resembling driftwood and vibrant wall colors and flooring recalling local flora. |
