Commercial/Multi Family – UCSB San Clemente Graduate Student Housing

OWNER: University of Southern California Santa Barbara

CREDIT: Fields Devereaux Architects

OLSON: Project Manager/ Project Architect

At the direction of the California State Board of Regents the structures were to be ‘vernacular’ meaning ‘of the region’, that being Southern California. The use of Spanish tile roofs, courtyards, open walkways and towers are all elements typical of Southern California vernacular architecture. Although the project encompasses 22 buildings, the complex provides a welcoming human scale with appealing courtyards and functional in-between spaces. Multiple entries and exits offer residents a feeling of having their own homes and private areas.

While architects typically don’t like to be told what a design will look like, the design team decided to take some inspiration from legendary architect Irving Gill who single handedly reduced mission or Spanish architectural elements into a modern vernacular. His architecture was once described as cubist.

 

The project spans the area of 4 city blocks. It was a ground up project including not only all of the buildings and courtyards but also underground
steam piping, roads, and infrastructure.

The project won a green award for the use of beautiful yet water conserving landscaping. Including the restoration of wetlands at the west end of the complex.

Project Description:

  • All new approx. 350 Units
  • 22 buildings connected by bridges
  • Including:
    • A 4 story parking structure
    • A Recreation Building
    • A wetlands restoration and reclaimed water for irrigation
    • Multiple courtyards
    • Its own steam heating plant

There are three large courtyards and four smaller courtyards. They are all designed to be appealing hang out places while also creating open space between the structures for sound isolation and wind movement. Also great for outdoor family and friends living exercise and entertainment.

Having about 20 different ways of entering the complex makes it so that each individual can decide how he or she wants to get to their apartment or traverse from it to the university.

The units are naturally ventilated using cross through air movement and clerestories.

Approximately twelve bridges and three towers grace the complex.

San Clemente Graduate Student Housing was a large undertaking and required a dedicated group of consultants working under Olson. While certain aspects of his design work are present throughout the project, especially in the bridges and internal towers, it was a team collaboration.

Finally as is true of every project there is a budget and this one was no exception in fact the elimination of the fourth block of buildings was a budgetary decision. The project was estimated at four or five stages by professional estimators thereby helping us bring it in on budget. The economy of building often drives decisions that I make during design.

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