SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture for a New Building,
Merit Award

University of California, San Diego for the Rita Atkinson Residences with Valerio Dewalt Train Associates

Photo by Nic Lehoux

Photos by Nic Lehoux

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The University of California San Diego is a campus of smaller neighborhoods each with its own residential population. The 226 new apartments at Rita Atkinson Residences contribute significantly to a goal of housing half the student body on campus.

The jury said, “ . . . this is by far the most sophisticated building among the multiple residence hall projects . . . the projecting balconies finish the gesture . . . interiors and daylight are beautiful . . .”

Rita Atkinson is shaped by everything but its budget. It is a highly sculptural object and is a gateway to campus. It shapes space in three dimensions and its elevations are patterned to reduce its scale.

The master plan building vision anticipated an increasingly dense urbanized campus, housing in alignment with the urban expectations of students, and a minimalist approach to sustainability.

By fixing the cost, program and schedule, the university went all out on design, which was a significant risk. They were unexpectedly rewarded when the project was delivered a full year early.

“Architectural excellence is a part of our campus heritage and is found in many buildings that become landmarks within their precincts. The Rita Atkinson Residences is destined to be one of these landmark buildings,” according to Mark Cunningham, executive director of housing, dining and hospitality services at the university. “This project is important in developing our medical campus and is vital to attracting talented medical graduate students to the university,” he adds.”

Two “L” shaped wings define major public spaces. The west entry court terminates the academic mall and is defined by the nine-story wing and a grove of eucalyptus trees. The east court is a more private outdoor space, but still open to all.

The university has an integrated plan for developing renewable energy sources and the building drives energy use to a minimum. It is naturally ventilated and materials are untreated and left in their natural state when possible. This sustainable strategy became a central theme in look and feel of the building.

Project Team: University of California, San Diego with Valerio Dewalt Train Associates; also Webcor Builders