UCSD Parking Lot 405

The Facts

Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Size: 1 Acre
Partners: UC San Diego
Client: UC San Diego
Budget: N/A
Completed: 2009

About the Project

landLAB was hired by UCSD to design the landscape associated with the reconfigured parking lot 405 adjacent to the new Music Building and existing Student services building in the heart of the UCSD campus. With the closure of Myers loop (Town Square pedestrian plaza), much needed handicapped parking needed to be relocated close by the center of campus. landLAB worked collaborated with Snipes-Dye Civil Engineering to grade the sloping parking lot to both accommodate the amount of required ADA parking, while also capturing and cleansing the parking storm water runoff through planted bioswales. Careful attention during the site planning for the parking lot allowed a mature Black Acacia tree to remain in place providing valuable shading to the parking lot, with another mature tree being transplanted to the student services main courtyard directly adjacent to the site.

Site Plan

by

jonathan alarcon

on

December 30, 2015

Comments Off

UCSD Social Sciences Courtyard

The Facts

Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Size: 1 Acre
Partners: UC San Diego
Client: UC San Diego
Budget: N/A
Completed: 2012

About the Project

landLAB was hired by the University of California, San Diego to re-design the main pedestrian entry to the facility off of Ridgewalk, and two courtyards at the existing Social Sciences facility located in the north part of the UCSD campus. Design charrettes with the Urban Studies students and Social Sciences faculty facilitated design direction and programming for the outdoor spaces. The design also focused on planting groupings of native Torrey Pines at key locations to mitigate strong prevailing winds from entering the courtyards through passages in the building. Existing lawn areas that were not actively used were replaced with low water use native plant material along with additional seating for students and faculty to enjoy the beautiful San Diego climate.

Site Plan

by

jonathan alarcon

on

December 30, 2015

Comments Off

UCSD International Center

The Facts

Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Size: 1.8 Acres
Partners: Blue Motif Architects
Client: UC San Diego
Budget: N/A
Completed: 2012

About the Project

landLAB collaborated with Bluemotif architects on the new International Center, which is located prominently on the central campus pedestrian spine “Library walk” at UCSD. The design of the International Center is focused on sustainable site planning and design principals, enhancing pedestrian access to the facility and through the site, while keeping the original character of the facility. The new buildings were carefully sited amongst the existing eucalyptus grove, creating new outdoor spaces that enhance interaction of visitors, students and faculty from the surrounding colleges. A series of interconnected indoor/outdoor spaces, each with its own character and identity, are nestled amongst the eucalyptus providing areas for both large and intimate gatherings in a play of light and shade. The design features green roofs, rain gardens, recycled materials and is planned to be a minimum LEED gold facility.

Site Plan

Landscape Typologies

Historic Eucalyptus Grove Preservation

by

jonathan alarcon

on

December 29, 2015

Comments Off

Crosswalk Charter School

The Facts

Location: Hesperia, CA, USA
Size: 8.5 Acres
Partners: HMC Architects
Client: Hesperia Unified School District
Budget: N/A
Completed: In Progress

About the Project

landLAB collaborated with HMC Architects on the new Crosswalk Charter School facility in Hesperia, California. The project is to be constructed in two phases. The site design clusters sport courts and ADA-accessible play areas into age-appropriate zones to promote safety and encourage interaction amongst students. The design includes outdoor classrooms and ‘labs’ for ecological experiential studies such butterfly, vegetable, native planting and rain gardens. The existing site was home to several specimen Joshua Trees which will relocated and incorporated into the final landscape design. Sustainable design features on this project include low water-use plantings, planted bioretention areas, the use of recycled materials, and porous concrete.

Site Plan

by

jonathan alarcon

on

December 29, 2015

Comments Off

Imperial Valley Center for Exceptional Children

The Facts

Location: El Centro, CA, USA
Size: 9.5 Acres
Partners: HMC Architects
Client: El Centro Unif. School District
Budget: N/A
Completed: In Progress

About the Project

landLAB collaborated with HMC Architects, and the Imperial County Office of Education on the new Imperial Valley Center for Exceptional Children, in El Centro California. The new facility (designed for severely handicapped children) is the first building to be constructed as part of the master plan for the new educational campus. The building’s main entry doors are centered on-axis with Mount Signal; distant views to this recognizable landmark will provide guidance in orienting users of the building. Outdoor play spaces have been designed with focus on the specific program requirements for children with varying degrees of Autism and Muscular dystrophy: specific play spaces work to develop both gross and fine motor skills and include variety of healing/ sensory gardens. The landscape design and site planning are informed by sustainable design principals such as; reducing the heat Island Effect, courtyards have been made accessible for all users, by providing additional seating, and outdoor spaces for school performances and gatherings.

Site Plan

by

jonathan alarcon

on

December 28, 2015

Comments Off

Imperial Valley County Office of Education Masterplan

The Facts

Location: El Centro, CA, USA
Size: 26.5 Acres
Partners: HMC Architects
Client: El Centro Unif. District
Budget: N/A
Completed: In Progress

About the Project

landLAB collaborated with HMC Architects, and the Imperial County Office of Education on the Campus Master Plan for the new educational campus located in El Centro California. The master plan connects the existing administration facilities with the new campus including pedestrian open space connections, plazas and courtyards. The new campus will demonstrate sustainable design principals including; reducing the heat Island Effect, passive heating and cooling, on-site storm water management, low-water use and California native landscaping, as well as the use of local, recycled and renewable materials. Buildings and associated parking lots were carefully sited to create courtyards and public spaces that are interconnected through a system of pedestrian walks and trails. A large central open space adjacent to the IVCEC center provides passive recreational opportunities for the public, ICOE staff and students, while functioning as a natural storm retention and infiltration area.

Campus Masterplan

Pedestrian Circulation

Landscape Typologies

Site Hydrology

Site Elevation with Proposed Landscape Typologies

by

jonathan alarcon

on

December 28, 2015

Comments Off

UCSD Warren Housing Feasibility Study

The Facts

Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Size: 14.5 Acres
Partners: Kevin deFreitas Architects
Client: UC San Diego
Budget: N/A
Completed: 2013

About the Project

landLAB is collaborating with Kevin deFreitas architecture on a feasibility study for the Warren Housing complex at UCSD North Campus. The primary objective of the feasibility study is to develop a framework for potential projects in and around the residential complexes and to update the existing facilities with sustainable landscape and building features while creating an attractive destination on campus for all to enjoy. The study promotes incorporation of integrated indoor/outdoor study pavilions, demonstration gardens, active and passive recreation areas and nature lookouts within a clearly defined hierarchy of pathways to create a ‘there there’ landmark. Refreshing outdoor spaces and enhancing bicycle and pedestrian connections to adjacent warren mall and the rest of UCSD’s campus by creating appropriately scaled and engaging pathways, nodes, and portals is a primary component of the feasibility study.

Housing Masterplan

Site Analysis

Site Opportunities

Concept Scheme 1

Concept Scheme 2

Concept Scheme 3

by

jonathan alarcon

on

December 28, 2015

Comments Off

UCSD The GRK Fraternity Housing Feasibility Study

The Facts

Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Size: 153.5 Acres
Partners: deFreitas Architects
Client: UC San Diego
Budget: N/A
Completed: 2014

About the Project

landLAB collaborated with Kevin deFreitas Architect on a feasibility study for an on campus fraternity neighborhood for the UC San Diego Campus. The project incorporated a large sunken central open space wrapped with Fraternity houses with a large open event lawn, BBQ terrace, and storm water garden. Interconnected to the neighborhood is the GRK commons building housing lecture rooms, auditorium as well as tower for medical offices. At the heart of the project is a micro retail center featuring small local businesses providing the necessary amenities for not only the housing but to serve all of the East Campus Health Sciences Neighborhood.

Housing Masterplan

by

jonathan alarcon

on

December 28, 2015

Comments Off

University of San Diego Master Plan Refresh

The Facts

Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Size: 160 Acres
Partners: Pearson, MW Steele
Client: University of San Diego
Budget: N/A
Completed: 2015

About the Project

landLAB collaborated with M.W. Steele Architects and Sue Peerson Planning on updating the masterplan for the University of San Diego. The team sets the road map for the expansion of the campus including new academic buildings, recreational facilities, Campus Student Life Facilities and Student Housing. Coupled with this expansion is a focus on establishing a pedestrian only core, along an integrated plan of major open spaces and pedestrian plazas. The masterplan also includes design guidelines for hardscape panting and irrigation, implementation of bike lanes, implementation of strategies for campus wide turf reduction, connections to native open space and canyons, as well as creation of integrated stormwater management. The final masterplan will be submitted as a CUP submittal to the City of San Diego

Site Masterplan

by

jonathan alarcon

on

December 6, 2015

Comments Off

UCSD Student Career Services Center

The Facts

Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Size: 6323 Sq Ft
Partners: NA
Client: UC San Diego
Budget: N/A
Completed: 2015

About the Project

landLAB was hired for to refresh the existing landscape at UCSD Career Services Center located at the heart of UCSD campus. The overall vision for the site is to preserve the historic eucalyptus grove, enhance the structure’s surroundings and provide a space for students to meet, greet and study while also providing an outdoor space for private dinners and functions. Site features include hangout and dining decks, terraces, and lounge plazas. Sustainable features for the site include pervious paving, California native planting, biofiltration of site run-off and re-use of site salvaged concrete and other materials.