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Residential | Commercial
Commercial
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Irvine Valley College Life Sciences Building
(# 372) |
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| Completion |
11 / 2013 |
| Square Footage |
29,775 |
| Budget |
$15,000,000 |
| Specific Use of Building |
Life Sciences classrooms / laboratories |
| Project Location |
5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92626 |
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Situated among aging academic buildings and bordering a residential neighborhood, the Irvine Valley College Life Sciences Building reflects the ideals of accessible education while exhibiting a dynamic building design approach. Both formal and informal elements were incorporated, resulting in a space that facilitates scientific discoveries and social encounters.
The vision and technical criteria were determined by engaging with faculty, students, staff and community members. Design goals were ultimately derived from a desire to encourage exchange and exploration while creating a flexible, pragmatic educational space. The building is an expressive and iconic piece of the campus fabric and has been integrated into the school's curriculum as a precedent for sustainable practice.
Primary design challenges included finding an optimal layout for science laboratories while keeping necessary program adjacencies. Working within strict lab requirements, the resulting configuration provides efficient circulation space and fulfills the goal of fostering connection and social collision. Labs on the second floor are connected with open-air circulation, creating a fresh, energetic space for students between classes. The central preparation space unites the labs while the double height atrium joins the remaining disparate programs together. The atrium encourages synergy among building occupants and acts as a connecting node to the existing campus quad, welcoming students of all disciplines to enter.
Sustainability objectives focused on thinking about the building holistically. Siting a life sciences building in close proximity to an existing residential community required careful study of wind and use patterns. The client has a long history of being a sensitive neighbor. To strengthen this relationship, issues such as exterior lighting, acoustics, science activities, vehicular and pedestrian patterns were all considered and informed the final design.
Located on a previously developed site, the compact building footprint maximizes campus open space and encourages people to inhabit the surrounding green space. Special consideration was given to integrating a low-maintenance, sustainable landscape design. Native plants were grouped based on their naturally existing relationships in Southern California in order to create water-efficient, drought-resistant microclimates. Furthermore, a subsurface storm water detention reservoir was created to facilitate water percolation and limit off site flows. In addition to a pervious outdoor amphitheater and a demonstration garden, a greenhouse was incorporated to create a space for horticultural studies.
Designed to be LEED Gold certified, additional sustainable strategies include a daylight harvesting system, green material selection, the integration of reclaimed water, and the diversion of more than 75% of construction waste. Passive thermal and shading strategies regulate temperature and energy-efficient lighting and mechanical systems reduce operational costs over the life of the building.
This is a project that reaches beyond its program to create a place that draws students in, provides a catalyst for their interaction and ultimately elevates the quality of the academic and social experience for each person.
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SBD report:
IVC_PERF_1.pdf |
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