Awards

NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of California San Diego challenged the project team to design a facility that would pay homage to a world-class site and create a sustainable building for environmental stewards of the ocean.The building takes advantage of the local microclimate while respecting the ever changing needs of the research scientists. The new facility continues the California-style legacy of an open architectural environment, and courtyards encourage interactions among researchers from different disciplines. The design team considered a wide variety of innovative design and sustainable strategies to cover all areas of the project: energy efficiency, an extensive rooftop photovoltaic system, elaborate storm water retention systems, regionally sourced building materials, “green roofs” planted with California coastal vegetation, natural ventilation systems, and a variety of corrosion-resistant materials, such as poured-in-place concrete, ceramic terra cotta sun shades, and stainless steel exterior fixtures.