UCSF, Cardiovascular Research Institute

The new five-story, 236,000 square foot building brings basic research scientists and clinicians, who are currently dispersed over several sites, together under one roof in an effort to better understand cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States, accounting for roughly 950,000 deaths each year.

Rudolph and Sletten, along with the innovative leadership of UCSF’s (interim) Assistant Vice Chancellor of Capital Programs and Campus Architect, Michael Bade, has implemented a group of collaborative and Lean construction methods aimed at improving communication, anticipating issues and meeting goals. With a hybrid integrated project delivery method, Rudolph and Sletten and its partners are using The Last Planner^TM scheduling method to set milestones by which an one of all, all-for-one incentive plan can be judged. The collaborative scheduling is augmented with a cohesive office space that places the architect, owner’s rep, contractor, and subs under one roof. The close proximity allows for quicker and more reliable communication.

All the improved collaborative communication is necessary on such an innovative building. The exterior skin is a prime example of the building complexity. It is an elaborate system consisting of a number of various materials from many suppliers. The exterior elements include: travertine stone from Italy; terracotta tile and baguette from Germany; metal panels from Colorado and Pennsylvania; a polycarbonate wall system and mechanical roof screens from Pennsylvania; aluminum curtain-wall systems and utilized curtain-wall system from Fremont, California; glass glazing from Minnesota; glass from China; and aluminum sunscreens from Texas.

Designed by the SmithGroup, along with San Francisco-based Jim Jenning Architecture, the L-shaped center will feature flexible lab space spread over three floors for nearly 500 researchers. The layout is organized with office “clusters” on each floor.

The building is targeting LEED gold certification. LEED features include low-flow fixtures, and waterless urinals, and Energy Star reflective roof, diversion of 75% of construction waste, the usage of recycled materials and a 3-foot thick underground stromwater control gravel basin.

When compete in October 2010, the facility will house the existing CVRI and will be home to a new UCSF center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease.