Future of Resilient Campus Design

Welcome to the Future of

Resilient Campus Design

Can living and learning neighborhoods promote healthy lifestyles, enhance environmental sustainability and generate economic value?

UC San Diego asked HKS to design an environment that would advance their goals to become carbon neutral and enhance student well-being. The design of North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood (NTPLLN) imagines a more resilient future for people and planet. Learn how we paired research and design to achieve measureable results.

Design for Connections

impact

research

strategies

The project’s urban plan and architecture reflect the university’s belief that student and community interactions are important to holistic development. Amenities are designed to mitigate loneliness and stress. By inviting the community in with dining and shared spaces like a craft center, NTPLLN fosters connection among students, staff and local residents.

research-driven design

A longitudinal, collaborative research study was included in NTPLLN’s project deliverables. Post-move behavior mapping shows points of the spectrum of activity throughout the Neighborhood and will be used to inform the design of future UC San Diego projects.

design strategies

north torrey pines living & learning neighborhood

measurable results:

basketball court

outdoor terrace

retail & coffee shop

ANAEROBIC DIGESTER

residential entrance

monumental stairs

Each building features healthy materials selections, extensive daylighting, scenic coastal views, and connections to the Southern California climate, which facilitate mental and physical wellness. Communal areas on each residence hall floor encourage healthy eating, physical activity, and socializing.

Access to kitchen to promote healthy cooking and healthy eating.

Interconnected floors to encourage interaction between sophomores and freshmen.

Access to outdoors for safe, social gatherings.

Shared flexible spaces and views to promote social interaction.

12.85%

increase in satisfaction with social spaces

27.96%

increase in satisfaction with residential spaces

Informed by Point-of-Decision Design, a research-based framework, NTPLLN’s design encourages healthy choices by making them accessible and appealing. A central dining commons and market offer affordable, healthy food options and plenty of indoor and outdoor spots to eat, socialize, and study.

making the healthy choice the easy choice

8.3%

reduction in self-reported depression

11%

increase in satisfaction with health food amenities

Building upon findings of a research coalition, we designed the project to make healthier choices easier choices throughout the neighborhood. For example, stairs, outdoor gathering places and healthy food choices are central and prominent throughout the design. Connected indoor and outdoor spaces make the most of San Diego’s climate and NTPLLN’s site on the Pacific coast.

A Healthier Campus Experience

measurable results:

read the research

Building Massing - Self Shading and Prevailing Winds The siting and massing of buildings intentionally balance access to daylight, reduce solar gains and promote natural ventilation.

Glass - Daylighting and Views 95% of regularly occupied areas provide indoor-outdoor connections with quality views and 75% achieve appropriate daylight levels.

Roof Insulation - Embodied Carbon Building energy modeling reduced rigid roof insulation from prescriptive minimums, improving overall building efficiency and reducing material embodied carbon.

Amenity Deck Trellis - Exterior Shading Computational fluid dynamics helped identify site areas that required exterior shading elements to improve exterior thermal comfort conditions.

design strategies

The team adopted an interdisciplinary approach early in design to hit aggressive energy targets. Building massing leverages microclimate conditions for passive design including solar exposure and natural ventilation. Operable windows, integrated trickle vents, and negatively pressurized continuous exhaust systems increase air volumes, dramatically enhancing indoor air quality and increasing cognitive functions.

81%

reduction in measured EUI

Largest LEED

v3 Platinum higher education project in CA

NTPLLN is designed for energy performance and year-round passive survivability. More than one third of the total building area is unconditioned and every student bedroom has operable windows, integrated trickle vents, and negatively pressurized continuous exhaust systems that increase indoor air quality while reducing energy use. The university’s first micro-anaerobic digester also generates on-site renewable energy and organic fertilizer from food waste.

Climate-Sensitive Design

measurable results:

50%

lower water use intensity than benchmarked trends for residence halls

The design includes native and regionally appropriate plants that provide new habitats for birds and pollinators. Expansive green spaces and accessible roof terraces throughout the campus offer biophilic benefits. Inside and out, buildings feature sensory connections to nature. Drought tolerant vegetation and drip irrigation at NTPLLN reduce potable water and bioswales naturally filter rainwater, leading to high quality runoff on the sensitive coastal site. Water efficiency and conservation strategies also reduce burden on local supplies and systems.

Design for Ecosystems

measurable results:

Operable Windows - Natural Ventilation Future climate weather files optimized operable windowsizing, ensuring adaptive thermal comfort ranges in naturally ventilated spaces.

Trickle Vent - Natural Ventilation Operable trickle vents allow users to regulate ventilationand promote continuous air circulation.

Building Facade - Insulation Facade design optimized use of materials to prevent overheating and aid passive survivability while reducing energy consumption.

Green Roof - Biodiversity Vegetated roof gardens create biophilic experiences and improve biodiversity of site.

PV Arrays - Reneweable Energy 180 kw photovoltaic array contributes to the commitment to generating clean, sustainable, renewable energy by expanding their solar power generation network.

Modular Micro Anaerobic Digester Anaerobic digester diverts organic waste from landfill and creates valuable resources such as liquid fertilizer and renewable biogas.

NTPLLN is generating significant value for UC San Diego students, staff, faculty and area residents and will continue to do so in the future. A holistic sustainability analysis projected that NTPLLN will deliver an additional 12% of social, economic and environmental value above design and construction costs over time.

Investment in Growth

NTPLLN has won numerous architecture, research and sustainability awards from leading design organizations and publications. The project exemplifies how design excellence can influence the future of people and planet.

Best in Class Design

COTE® Top Ten Award

American Institute of Architects

Outcome of Design Award & Optimizer

American Society of Interior Designers

Evidence-Based Design Touchstone Award

The Center for Health

Innovation by Design Awards Finalist

Fast Company

We want to help you design a high-perfomance campus that meets your needs.

North Torrey Pines Living & Learning Neighborhood Case Study

Energized: Can a University Campus Reach Net Zero by 2025?

Can Design Help Curb College Drop-out Rates?

Designing for Student Well-being: Research Outcomes from a Live-Learn Lab

Learn More About the Project

design strategies

Healthy Eating

Promote Physical Activity

Promote Socializing

Enhance Connection to Nature

Provide Multi-Modal Transportation

Southern California Development Forum (SCDF), Educational Design Award AIA California, Special Commendation, Design for Discovery Associated General Contractors, Build San Diego, Merit Award, Building Construction Public Work

San Diego Architectural Foundation, Orchid Award - Architecture Construction Management Association of America, San Diego, Project Achievement Award San Diego Green Building Council, LEED BD+C Registered Built Merit Award

Southern California, Development Forum (SCDF) Design Award US Green Building Council - Los Angeles Chapter, Honor, Specialty Sustainable Innovation Strategy: Energy / Operational Carbon, Waste UCSD Advisory Committee on Sustainability, Sustainability Award, Outstanding Campus Vendor

The project’s urban plan and architecture reflect the university’s belief that student and community interactions are important to holistic development.

Design for Connections

measurable results:

Building upon findings of a research coalition, we designed the project to make healthier choices easier choices throughout the neighborhood.

A Healthier Campus Experience

measurable results:

Design for ecosystems

measurable results:

than benchmarked trends for residence halls

Amenity deck trellis provides exterior shading

Roof insulation that reduces embodied carbon

95% of occupied areas have quality outdoor views

Roof gardens improve biodiversity and connection to nature

Facade design optimized to reduce energy consumption

Building massing balances daylight access, solar gains and natural ventilation

Operable windows provide natural ventilation.