UC San Francisco breaks ground on $643 million research and academic facility
By Novid Parsi, Contributing Editor
The University of California, San Francisco has broken ground on a $643 million facility that aims to advance translational research and drive innovative biomedical discoveries in cancer, diabetes, immunology, and other critical areas.
Designed by HGA and Snøhetta and constructed by Hensel Phelps, the nine-story, 323,000-sf Barbara and Gerson Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB) will include 147,000 sf of reconfigurable research labs, the 23,200-square-foot UCSF School of Nursing, and an 8,000-square-foot clinical research suite.
For the design-build project, Snøhetta is overseeing the overall building design, including landscape and site improvements, and HGA serves as the executive architect, leading the design of interior spaces including research laboratories.
BRAB’s form and structure are designed to optimize natural light and connectivity, while mitigating winds for pedestrians. The project will introduce a new public promenade with native plants and views of the city and the Pacific Ocean.
In the lobby, daylight and clear visual connections support natural wayfinding, and abundant seating encourages social interaction. The research areas also maximize natural light and offer views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the ocean, and downtown San Francisco. Flexible general education classrooms double as community event spaces, enabling the public to engage with UCSF.
“The Barbara and Gerson Bakar Research and Academic Building is a landmark project, offering flexible and innovative spaces that can adapt to evolving research needs while furthering UCSF’s mission to address today’s most pressing health challenges,” Chris Martin, science and technology principal at HGA, said in a statement.
The all-electric building will be built with low-carbon concrete and will aim for LEED Gold certification. The steel building structure is anticipated to top out in late 2025, with substantial completion expected in September 2027 and occupancy in early 2028.
On the building team: Snøhetta (overall design, including landscape); HGA (architect of record, research and technical program design); Critchfield Mechanical (plumbing and HVAC); Cupertino Electric (electrical and low voltage); Cosco Fire Protection (fire protection); Syska Hennessy Group (vertical transport); BWE Engineers, Degenkolb Engineers, and Gayle, Ferma, and Condon Johnson (structural engineers); Hensel Phelps (GC).
