UC Santa Barbara’s Institute for Energy Efficiency is dedicated to researching and developing technological solutions for a sustainable energy future. Upon completion, the three-story Henley Hall building will provide a new home for the renowned institute, which was created in 2008. It will primarily include a 125-seat lecture hall, 17 laboratories, 34 faculty and postdoctoral offices, nine administrative offices and ample group office space. An estimated 50 faculty members and 120 graduate and postdoctoral students collaborating on energy-efficient technologies will occupy the new structure.
Designed to create prime research space and leading paradigms in energy efficiency, the new institute building will also feature adaptable laboratory space for evolving research needs. According to the school, the addition of this new structure will go a long way toward addressing the high priority, campus-wide need for more quality lab space. Though UCSB has made concerted efforts to upgrade and expand its facilities to match their academic goals, the school reports it is still significantly under-resourced in this area.
Along with increasing lab and research space, the new facility will also be a showcase of the schools’ commitment to environmental sustainability, and a strong reflection of the research being conducted within. According to a release by the university, the building will be as close to zero-net energy as possible, incorporating numerous state-of-the-art technologies and design features. The $38.5 million facility will include a variety of efficient systems and building materials, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) with low-voltage wiring, intelligent energy monitoring and control systems with interactive displays, and extensive natural lighting.

The Henley Hall Institute for Energy Efficiency will be named for 1966 UCSB grad Jeff Henley and his wife Judy, who contributed $50 million to the school’s capital campaign in 2012. Nearly $30 million of those funds will be dedicated to construction, and toward faculty recruitment for both the institute and the school’s College of Engineering.

University leaders named award-winning architectural firm Kieran Timberlake to design the Institute’s new home in August 2012. According to a release issued by the university, the firm was chosen through a highly selective review process by a team of Institute and UCSB faculty and staff. The team reviewed more than 30 proposals, met with nearly a dozen firms and visited some of the finalists’ buildings. Kieran Timberlake was ultimately selected for its experience with energy-efficient lab buildings, innovative design, and for the firm’s close client-architect design process. The San Francisco office of environmental design, engineering and consulting firm Atelier Ten also provided support and expertise.

Sundt, one of the country’s largest general contractors, has a strong track record in higher education construction. The company has completed multiple higher education builds, including the University of California, Merced’s Social Science and Management Building, and the University of California, Davis’ Veterinary Medicine 3B Building.

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The project sets new standards for sustainable design and bringing high-performance building technologies into the college’s curriculum. The construction of the project is expected to begin this July.

“The College of the Desert’s vision for a self-sustaining campus is to produce more energy than it consumes,” said James Matson, AIA, vice president and director of HGA’s Los Angeles office, in a statement. “The plan emphasizes energy production along with substantial conservation and energy efficiency, waste recovery and biomimicry in partnership with green industries and education initiatives. The campus will consider the site’s unique ecology and natural resources to create a national model for sustainable research and teaching that supports the local economy and educational needs in Coachella Valley.”

The project includes 50,000 square feet of academic space and is slated for completion in January 2015. The campus will feature wind turbines, solar panels and a culinary arts center, among other highlights.

“The overall design vision for this project is focused on making it a national model for innovative sustainable strategies,” said Satoshi Teshima, AIA, LEED AP, project designer, in a statement. “The result will be an iconic campus that not only serves as a landmark and gateway to Palm Springs, but reflects the city’s history of mid-century modern architecture.”

Along with HGA working on the design, Tempe, Ariz.-based Sundt Construction is serving as the construction manager on the project. Both companies have a strong commitment to sustainable building, which can be seen directly in the design plans for the College of the Desert.

“This project has forward-thinking goals that go beyond net-zero energy to embrace a zero-plus plan that creates renewable clean energy rather than simply using less energy,” said Patrick Thibaudeau, LEED AP, vice president of sustainable design at HGA, in a statement. “The zero-plus plan targets five integrated sustainable goals — zero-plus energy, carbon, water, waste and materials. The plan emphasizes on-site electricity production through photovoltaic solar panels and establishes consumption targets to be less than or equal to available resources.”

The College of the Desert’s new West Valley Campus is not the only project at the college taking place. HGA is also working with the college’s Applied Sciences Building, which includes new construction and renovation of an existing building on the Palm Desert campus and is targeted to achieve LEED Silver certification.

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