NOAA southwest fisheries science center by gould evans in california

NOAA southwest fisheries science center by gould evans in california
photo © assassi productions
all images courtesy of gould evans

the ‘NOAA southwest fisheries science center‘ was recently completed by a gould evans-led team, creating a world-class facility that will help recruit talented scientists and support ongoing research for the conservation and management of the region’s living marine resources. the LEED gold certified building represents a site-specific approach, with features that set a local benchmark for energy efficiency and connect workers to the environment they are so dedicated to preserving.

View of main entry and the southwest corner of the building. View is looking to the northeast.
photo © assassi productions

challenged to relocate an existing complex threatened by coastal erosion, the group planned a learning environment that appears to grow from the surrounding bluffs. the center is perched at the head of the la jolla canyon, a bathymetric characteristic that provides occupants with access to the deep pacific ocean. the architecture reacts to this topography, utilizing massing anomalies to form outdoor gathering areas, rooftop terraces, and courtyards that reinterpret the ‘courtyard culture’ of NOAA’s former offices.

main entry at dusk
photo © assassi productions

the 124,000 square foot structure was inserted into a steep contour to maintain ocean views from the road above and efficiently accommodate a complex program of offices, laboratories, conference rooms, parking, a library, and a 528,000 gallon ocean technology development tank – the largest of its kind in the world. through its siting, materiality and use of green space, the five-story building never appears larger than three stories from the exterior. it also never seems taller than three stories to the scientists who work there, fostering a sense of community.

view from level three roof terrace looking south towards la jolla cove
photo © assassi productions

for a headquarters dedicated to marine ecosystem health, sustainable design was critical. however, laboratories consume approximately five times more energy per square foot than a typical office. to offset this, the interior is defined by narrow floor plates, fan-assisted natural ventilation, and high-efficiency equipment and lighting. the green roof has been planted with a variety of native species, including coastal chaparral and sage. solar shading on the west- and south-facing windows contribute to reducing the cooling loads to 69% less than that required by ASHRAE 90.1-2004 standard. a large photovoltaic array on the top floor offsets 7% of the energy needs: equivalent to the amount that would power 40 typical houses in the region. altogether, these features reduce projected use by 33% compared to similar buildings.

landscaped roof terrace planted with native coastal vegetation
photo © assassi productions

exterior corridors and operable windows encourage engagement with nature, daylight, and breezes
photo © assassi productions

east side of the building with pedestrian walkway
photo © assassi productions

day-lit laboratory interior
photo © assassi productions

(left) view of level 4 on the north elevation of the building
(right) concrete detailing takes cues from the ‘salk institute’ by louis kahn 
photo © assassi productions

the massing of the building shifts at certain locations to give the impression that it is never taller than a 2-storey building
photo © assassi productions

aerial view of the building in its context
photo © ace aerial photography

project info:

location: la jolla, california
year completed: 2013
project area: 124,000 sqft (office and labs) 90,000 sqft (covered parking)
address: 8901 la jolla shores drive, la jolla, CA 92037
owner: NOAA fisheries southwest fisheries science center, la jolla and the U.S. department of commerce
project management: NOAA office of the chief administration officer (silver spring, MD and seattle, WA), NOAA office of acquisitions and grants (silver spring, MD and seattle, WA), NOAA fisheries office of the assistant administrator for fisheries (silver spring, MD) NOAA fisheries office of management and budget (silver spring, MD)
architect: gould evans (kansas city, MO)
associate architect: delawie (san diego, CA)
MEP+FP engineer and prime consultant: gibbens drake scott (raytown, MO)
structural engineer: transystems corporation (kansas city, MO)
specifications, lab, security, and sustainability consultant: HDR architecture (san diego and san francisco, CA)
life support systems consultant: MWH americas (san diego, CA)
civil engineer: RBF consulting (san diego, CA)
landscape architect: wimmer yamada & caughey (san diego, CA)
vegetated roofs consultant: jeffrey L. bruce & company (north kansas city, MO)
cost analysis consultant: campbell-anderson & associates (san diego, CA)
commissioning consultant and agent: facility dynamics engineering (san diego, CA)
general contractor: rudolph & sletten (san diego, CA)
animation and imaging consultant: arnold imaging (kansas city, MO)
photography: assassi productions and ace aerial photography

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