2006 SCUP/AIA-CAE Awards

UC Merced Long-Range Development Plan

University of California, Merced with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

Click to view a pdf presentation of the project.

This plan is designed to provide an enduring framework that would guide implementation of the campus over the next 30 to 50 years. The Merced campus is the first new UC campus to be planned in over 40 years. The location for the establishment of the tenth UC Campus was determined by the educational needs of the growing population in the middle and eastern region of the state, and would ultimately serve 25,000 students. The beautiful natural site was selected in an effort to integrate with the City of Merced, and to support the university's environmental and sustainability goals. Continued discussion and cooperation with city and county officials and a multi-disciplinary approach contributed to the plan's success. The school opened in September, 2005. The Development Plan was prepared to guide the development of an entirely new campus; it was focused on how to create a sense of place, campus order and establish a relationship with the surrounding community. This flexible plan works in both practical and symbolic ways as new building construction and student enrollment move forward.