The facility is the first student housing in the University of California system to bag the LEED Platinum certification, and the first new building at UC San Diego to achieve a Platinum rating. The buildings, built of highly crafted, cast-in-place concrete left exposed inside and out, provides accommodation for 516 students.
The property features repetitive sun control elements, as well as industrial fiberglass grating for sunshades and railings which is durable in marine environments and reduces solar heat gain.
The facility makes use of natural cooling from ocean breezes which leads to significant energy cost cuts. The shape and arrangement of the building helps captivate prevailing winds through computational fluid dynamics to analyze air movement. The building also utilised wind tunnel testing to incorporate a window size and unit design which enhances comfort levels without use of air conditioning.
The building’s thermal mass provides efficient heating. Its backwards constructed rainscreen, air barrier exterior wall cuts down heat loss and water vapour infiltration. A localized arrangement of individually controlled radiant panels has been installed where required. The design of the facility maximises natural light penetration which reap energy savings. Energy is further reduced with installation of occupancy-controlled lighting systems in public spaces. A rooftop photovoltaic array generates on-site renewable energy.
The property sports water-efficient landscaping and plumbing fixtures. It also reclaims its waste water generated on-site for irrigation purposes and for the planted roof. The storm water flowing into the Pacific Ocean is remediated with a system of landscape bioswales and retention basins. This decrease storm water quantity, delay peak water flow, control flooding, as well as help cut down chances of erosion of fragile coastal scrub arroyos.
