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](/sites/default/files/inline-images/College%20of%20Health%20Sciences%20at%20UC%20Irvine%203.jpg)
![College of Health Sciences at UC Irvine 2](/sites/default/files/inline-images/College%20of%20Health%20Sciences%20at%20UC%20Irvine%202.jpg)
Related Stories
University Buildings | Jul 27, 2021
Murchie Science Building Expansion completes at the University of Michigan-Flint
HED designed the project.
Contractors | Jul 23, 2021
The aggressive growth of Salas O'Brien, with CEO Darin Anderson
Engineering firm Salas O'Brien has made multiple acquisitions over the past two years to achieve its Be Local Everywhere business model. In this exclusive interview for HorizonTV, BD+C's John Caulfield sits down with the firm's Chairman and CEO, Darin Anderson, to discuss its business model.
University Buildings | Jul 21, 2021
University of Washington Tacoma breaks ground on new STEM learning lab
ARO designed the project.
University Buildings | Jul 14, 2021
New 678-bed student housing development breaks ground near the University of South Carolina
CRG has partnered with Landmark Properties on the project.
University Buildings | Jul 12, 2021
UCLA building completes renovations for enhanced seismic, energy, and curriculum requirements
CO Architects designed the project.
University Buildings | Jul 8, 2021
$120 million renovation of Smith College’s Neilson Library completes
The original building was built in 1909.
University Buildings | Jul 1, 2021
Texas A&M University’s new Engineering Medicine program receives a new, unique space
EYP designed the project.
University Buildings | Jun 28, 2021
MiraCosta Community College to receive new Chemistry and Biotechnology Building
HED designed the building.
Resiliency | Jun 24, 2021
Oceanographer John Englander talks resiliency and buildings [new on HorizonTV]
New on HorizonTV, oceanographer John Englander discusses his latest book, which warns that, regardless of resilience efforts, sea levels will rise by meters in the coming decades. Adaptation, he says, is the key to future building design and construction.
University Buildings | Jun 21, 2021
Rediscovered Mies van der Rohe design under construction at Indiana University
The design was originally created in 1952.