19 May 09
UCSD Price Center East presented AIA San Diego Design Award
Posted by Lisa Hollenbeck
The University of California San Diego's Price Center East, a collaboration between Yazdani Studio of Cannon Design and Lighting Design Alliance, wins Honor Award at American Institute of Architects San Diego 2009 Design Awards. The AIA San Diego Honor Award celebrates extraordinary architectural design worthy of the profession's highest regard.
The UCSD Price Center Expansion added more than 170,000 square feet to the existing student center facilities, providing new spaces for retail, dining, meetings, performance events, student organizations, and other campus services. Merhdad Yazdani’s addition to the UCSD Price Student Center consists of two square tube buildings intersecting a central 3D trapezoid. Offices and function spaces are located in the tubes, while the large trapezoid is comprised of a grand atrium, open study space, and dining facilities.
As exterior illumination was limited by a dark sky ordinance, the intent was that the building would glow from within. To help differentiate the building components cool white sources were used in the tube portions of the building while warm sources illuminated the 3D trapezoid. Within the building, grids of lines and circles were utilized to accentuate the flow of the building’s structure. Indirect lighting (with diffuse covers to avoid glare) was used in the large atrium to highlight the volume and provide comfortable light levels. With the university’s sustainability objectives set high, the Price Student Center meets LEED Silver standards. The resulting space has a lively and stimulating environment with an urban aesthetic.
AIA San Diego | AIA San Diego Design Award Press Release (pdf)