Archinect - News

Miller Hull's redwood laboratory for UC Santa Cruz aims to be light on the land

2022-03-31T12:57:00-04:00

Seattle-based firm The Miller Hull Partnership has designed an important new laboratory building for the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) that will have a light impact on the lush natural landscape that surrounds it.

Developed to offset the anticipated growth of UCSC’s research and instruction, the new Environmental Health & Safety Facility includes space for laboratories, waste management, storage, and administrative offices in addition to providing room for life, health, and safety resources.

Per the architects: “The site includes a small knoll and is defined by the steep ravine and mature redwood trees. The building is constructed on caissons to be light on the land and allow natural drainage and existing root systems to remain below the building. All stormwater is managed on-site with direct infiltration, and a below-grade storm drain detention structure with outfall to level spreaders distributed across the site.”

Image courtesy The Miller Hull Partnership

In respons...

Workbench is seeking architects to help solve California’s housing crisis

2021-09-20T12:21:00-04:00

As with many states, California is experiencing a lack of affordable housing, with 1.8 million homes needed by 2025 to satisfy the state’s housing needs. At present, the median home price in California has risen above $800,000, while more than 100,000 residents sleeping outside or in cars every night, prompting both legislators and designers to explore increasingly innovative solutions.

Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill which will allow for multi-unit development on suburban lots previously reserved for single-family dwellings, putting an end to a 100-year practice of single-family-only zoning in the state. In June, meanwhile, a law was introduced to streamline large building developments in the state, particularly infill residential-led projects, by reducing judicial review requirements.

These legislative efforts are joined by architectural proposals aimed at pro...

Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects to design UC Santa Cruz's new Institute of the Arts and Sciences

2014-06-06T19:59:00-04:00

The University of California, Santa Cruz recently selected notable New York firm Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects to design the university's new Institute of the Arts and Sciences. Competition was tough indeed, as TWBTA was one of three finalists that included Allied Works Architecture and Patkau with Fong & Chan.

UCSC states the new building will be the first of its kind at a research university, with a cross-disciplinary focus that brings the arts and sciences -- and their relations to other fields -- all under one roof. The Institute is one of UCSC's priority initiatives in a comprehensive fundraising campaign that was announced in fall 2013.

The architectural plan of the 30,000 sq.ft multi-functional facility includes space for student and faculty research, site-specific installations, exhibitions, seminars, residencies by artists and scholars, and other public gathering events. The Institute will also curate traveling art exhibitions and feature projects relevant to UCSC's cu...