gradlabs

LOCATION:

San Diego, CA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

GradLabs, the innovative project situated in San Diego’s University Towne Centre (UTC) community, has been a testament to the successful collaboration between McCullough, DGA Architects, and Alexandria Real Estate Equities. Nestled amidst notable destinations like the renowned Green Acre at Campus Pointe, GradLabs occupies a prime location, bordered by a picturesque hillside to the west and the stunning Sorrento Valley to the east.

The centerpiece of the site is a five-story, 98,000 square foot building that will serve as an incubator environment for scientific innovators and researchers. The design approach seamlessly integrates the indoor and outdoor spaces, with the eastern part of the building mirroring the organic shapes found in the surrounding landscape. The site itself emerges as an architectural manifestation, blending harmoniously with its natural surroundings. Drawing inspiration from the Coastal Sage Scrub, the plant palette evokes a sense of place, while a native hydro seed mix blankets the steep hillsides. Notablefeatures include an impressive 80-inch box specimen Olive tree, elegantly juxtaposed against the backdrop of large natural boulders at the point of entry. Additionally, a functional bio-filtration planting area acts as a buffer to capture and treat stormwater runoff, providing an environmentally conscious solution. Combined, these carefully crafted elements come together to create a visually captivating and engaging experience for all who visit GradLabs.

This project won an Orchid award from the San Diego Architectural Foundation