The interdisciplinary facility was designed to foster collaboration between the various departments: bioinformatics, genomic medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, childhood diseases, pathology, immunology, inflammation, psychiatry, cardiology, neurosciences, infectious diseases and glycobiology.

“We’re very proud to unveil this beautiful new facility,” said Mark Rowland, principal architect and project manager for UCSD, in a statement. “Researchers from many departments and programs will unite and collaborate here to produce new therapies that will save lives.”

The seven-story research facility features five floors of wet bench laboratories, open lab space, lab support space, seven stories of administrative office space, interaction spaces and conference rooms. The strong focus on interdisciplinary collaboration is showcased in the open lobby, which serves as an interaction space. The dynamic design of the lobby includes an iconic cast-in-place concrete staircase that climbs seven stories up and one story down.

“We’ve partnered with McCarthy on a number of UC system projects in the past and are very pleased to be celebrating yet another successful collaboration with them,” said Joe Collins, FAIA, a partner with ZGF and principal architect. “We’re on track to receiving LEED Platinum certification, which would make this one of the most innovative and sustainably designed research labs in the University of California system and quite possibly the entire nation.”

A computer-controlled exterior solar shading system on the east, west and south facades reduces visual glare, cooling load and energy use, while the radius ceiling shape helps redirect sunlight to provide optimum daylighting, according to project leaders. Other sustainable features include daylighting, radiant heating systems, operable windows, individual thermostats, displacement ventilation, LED lighting, a water reclamation system, low VOC materials and high-efficiency mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

“The highly MEP-intensive floor was the most technically challenging aspect of this construction project,” said Bob Betz, senior vice president of McCarthy. “BIM was utilized extensively to help in the coordination of these spaces, along with BlueBeam for the electrical plan room. We brought our subcontractors aboard during the initial design phases to help us fashion a seamless, integrated building process.”

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San Francisco-based Environmental Building Strategies (EBS) provided sustainability engineering and LEED consulting, along with expert medical design by the San Francisco-based Kohan Group, as well as creative material use and sustainable medical building tactics of Redwood City, Calif.-based All Phase Builders. The northern California companies used their experience and knowledge to develop a building that is slashing the cost of past utility bills.

“By working with EBS to implement environmental features from the design phase, SFSA expects a strong return on investment from energy, water and waste savings,” said Matt Macko, founder and principal of EBS in a statement. “SFSA is truly a leader in transforming the medical industry’s operations and values, and it was an honor to work with the doctors and the talented design team to continue advocating better buildings in the community we live and share in.”

For those not fully aware of the extensive green benefits of receiving LEED Platinum, an example from the company may help to put the building’s performance in perspective. SFSA’s existing office in Cupertino, Calif., was not built to achieve LEED Platinum status and is half the size of the new office in San Francisco, but spends three times as much on energy bills.

Not only is the facility achieving high performance marks in energy efficiency, but it’s also defying the stereotypes of bland health care design facilities. The staff has raved about the amenities and the project team has shown that going green is possible even within the constraints of a health care facility design.

“Our goal was to create a green practice to serve as an example for the health care community, showcasing the endless possibilities with today’s technology and sustainable building materials,” said Nima Massoomi, DMD, MEd, MD and co-founder of SFSA. “We’ve invested heavily in cutting-edge technology to improve our patient outcomes, while reducing the impact on our environment and local community. Our new facility dispels the typical feel of a surgical office, making our patients and staff feel as if they’re visiting a spa.”

The new facility mixes modern amenities with state-of-the-art equipment and a fresh, clean and comforting environment. Patients, staff and visitors, alike, can appreciate the commitment to energy efficiency and attention to detail in the design, operations and attention to patient care.

Energy-Efficient Features
• 37 percent reduced lighting power through LED lighting, occupancy sensors and lighting controls
• 90 percent Energy Star qualified appliances including LED monitors and solar-powered keyboards
• 100 percent paperless records and administration
• 40 percent reduction in water usage through pressure assist toilets and automatic faucets
• Post-consumer recycled content in steel framing, wall coverings, countertops and floor tiles
• Furniture containing 97 percent recycled content
• “Green Cleaning Procedure” to minimize building occupant exposure to hazardous chemicals
• Oil-free medical suction system featuring integrated amalgam-separator to prevent mercury waste into the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean
• A combination of 2D/3D medical CT imaging machine with one of the lowest radiation profiles on the market

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