flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
Currently Reading

New UC Irvine health sciences building supports aim to become national model for integrative health

University Buildings

New UC Irvine health sciences building supports aim to become national model for integrative health

The new College of Health Sciences building houses nursing, medical doctorate, pharmacy, philosophy, and public health programs in a single facility.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | May 17, 2023
New UC Irvine health sciences building supports aim to become national model for integrative health
Photo courtesy HED

The new College of Health Sciences Building and Nursing & Health Sciences Hall at the University of California Irvine supports the institution’s goal of becoming a national model for integrative health. The new 211,660-sf facility houses nursing, medical doctorate, pharmacy, philosophy, and public health programs in a single building.

With biophilic elements incorporated throughout the LEED Platinum building and a natural courtyard, students are taught holistic mind, body, and spirit benefits of nature in a medical setting. The building features teaching labs, a simulation center, and dedicated lounge space with access to beautiful outdoor spaces, community spaces, and natural elements.

“These elements come to together to not only improve students’ learning outcomes, but also their health and wellness with access to nature and daylight, chances for building community and interaction between disciplines, and enriching research and learning through exposure to other programs, practitioners, clinicians, and students,” according to a news release.

Notable features of the facility include:

  • Stand-alone auditorium and pre-function space acting as a center of activity, a gateway to campus, and a resource for all four UCI Health Sciences and other university events
  • Distinct identities/signature spaces associated with each building
  • A distinctive dedicated two-story lobby space with a living wall
  • A high visibility, dedicated entry for the clinic that builds community among patients and staff and connects treatment functions on both levels
  • A “main street” corridor that connects Research Neighborhoods to enhance collaboration, sharing of resources, and scalability

The project was designed according to a “Heart, Home and Integrator approach,” says Martha Ball, Higher Education Sector Leader, HED. “The heart is the dedicated entry and experience of the building that builds a sense of community among patients and clinicians. The home is the lounge that opens to a quiet outdoor area for respite, facilitating individual and group activities and studies. The integrator is the central courtyard with dedicated entry experiences for each program, the auditorium within the courtyard, and the glass bridge that connects the two wings. These come together to create chance encounters of researchers, faculty, clinicians, and administration.”

Bringing together medical programs “creates a premium experience that enhances learning outcomes by educating students beyond traditional lab classrooms,” Ball says. “Students see the benefits of biophilic design and collaborative spaces as patients are healed holistically.”

On the project team:
Owner and/or developer: University of California Irvine
Design architect: HED, teamed with SLAM for interior architecture/planning
Architect of record: HED
MEP engineer: Alvine Engineering
Structural engineer: Saiful Bouquet
General contractor/construction manager: Hathaway Dinwiddie

College of Health Sciences at UC Irvine 3
Photo courtesy HED
College of Health Sciences at UC Irvine 2
Photo courtesy HED

 

Related Stories

Student Housing | Jun 5, 2023

The power of student engagement: How on-campus student housing can increase enrollment

Studies have confirmed that students are more likely to graduate when they live on campus, particularly when the on-campus experience encourages student learning and engagement, writes Design Collaborative's Nathan Woods, AIA.

Urban Planning | Jun 2, 2023

Designing a pedestrian-focused city in downtown Phoenix

What makes a city walkable? Shepley Bulfinch's Omar Bailey, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA, believes pedestrian focused cities benefit most when they're not only easy to navigate, but also create spaces where people can live, work, and play.

Higher Education | May 24, 2023

Designing spaces that promote enrollment

Alyson Mandeville, Higher Education Practice Leader, argues that colleges and universities need to shift their business model—with the help of designers.

University Buildings | May 11, 2023

New ‘bold and twisting’ building consolidates School of Continuing Studies at York University

The design of a new building that consolidates York University’s School of Continuing Studies into one location is a new architectural landmark at the Toronto school’s Keele Campus. “The design is emblematic of the school’s identity and culture, which is centered around accelerated professional growth in the face of a continuously evolving labor market,” according to a news release from Perkins&Will.

Sustainability | May 11, 2023

Let's build toward a circular economy

Eric Corey Freed, Director of Sustainability, CannonDesign, discusses the values of well-designed, regenerative buildings.

BIM and Information Technology | May 8, 2023

What AEC professionals should know about digital twins

A growing number of AEC firms and building owners are finding value in implementing digital twins to unify design, construction, and operational data.

University Buildings | May 5, 2023

New health sciences center at St. John’s University will feature geothermal heating, cooling

The recently topped off St. Vincent Health Sciences Center at St. John’s University in New York City will feature impressive green features including geothermal heating and cooling along with an array of rooftop solar panels. The geothermal field consists of 66 wells drilled 499 feet below ground which will help to heat and cool the 70,000 sf structure.

Mass Timber | May 1, 2023

SOM designs mass timber climate solutions center on Governors Island, anchored by Stony Brook University

Governors Island in New York Harbor will be home to a new climate-solutions center called The New York Climate Exchange. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), The Exchange will develop and deploy solutions to the global climate crisis while also acting as a regional hub for the green economy. New York’s Stony Brook University will serve as the center’s anchor institution.

University Buildings | Apr 24, 2023

Solving complicated research questions in interdisciplinary facilities

University and life science project owners should consider the value of more collaborative building methods, close collaboration with end users, and the benefits of partners who can leverage sector-specific knowledge to their advantage.

Green | Apr 21, 2023

Top 10 green building projects for 2023

The Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex in Boston and the Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis are among the AIA COTE Top Ten Awards honorees for 2023. 

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




University Buildings

New ‘bold and twisting’ building consolidates School of Continuing Studies at York University

The design of a new building that consolidates York University’s School of Continuing Studies into one location is a new architectural landmark at the Toronto school’s Keele Campus. “The design is emblematic of the school’s identity and culture, which is centered around accelerated professional growth in the face of a continuously evolving labor market,” according to a news release from Perkins&Will.

halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021