By SCN Staff
SAN FRANCISCO鈥擳he University of California San Francisco (UCSF)鈥攁 renowned health science university鈥攈as selected HGA and Sn酶hetta to design the new Research and Academic Building on its Parnassus Heights campus in San Francisco.
A San Francisco institution for more than a century, UCSF鈥檚 Parnassus Heights campus is renowned for innovation in research and education. The Parnassus Research and Academic Building, known for now as the PRAB, will anchor the west end of the campus and replace UC Hall, UCSF鈥檚 oldest building at Parnassus Heights, which was built as the University of California鈥檚 first hospital in 1917. This is one phase of a comprehensive planning process that is underway for a major renovation and expansion of the campus over the next decade.
The estimated $700 million project will include the building as well as improvements to Parnassus Avenue, extending Fourth Avenue, creating a new promenade and loading dock, the demolition of UC Hall, and the initial components of an 鈥渆nergy center鈥� that will ensure UCSF can install new infrastructure when energy technology changes down the road.
Through a collaborative partnership, HGA will serve as the Executive Architect and Architect of Record, leading programming, planning and project management as well as the design of research lab and technical program spaces. Sn酶hetta will lead the overall conceptual design for the building and surrounding public realm, including landscape and site improvements.
HGA and Sn酶hetta submitted an innovative joint proposal, and UCSF鈥� an institution known for teamwork between its scientists, clinicians and educators鈥攑articularly admired the collaborative nature of the proposal. A team led by Chancellor Sam Hawgood, MBBS, selected HGA and Sn酶hetta from a final list.
鈥淭hese cutting-edge firms were willing to join us in thinking outside of the box to face the unique opportunities that we see in this critical phase of the Parnassus plan,鈥� said聽 Daniel Lowenstein, MD, UCSF鈥檚 executive vice chancellor and provost. 鈥淚n particular, they bring new ways of fostering collaboration, an openness to our relationship to the local community and a robust and productive connectivity with the rest of the campus.鈥�
Patti Mitchell, UCSF鈥檚 director of Campus Design and Construction for the west zone, and deputy campus architect, said the winning team had a particularly people-minded approach. 鈥淭hey had innovative ideas about how people would interact when they were in the building,鈥� Mitchell said. 鈥淭heir proposal was more human-centric versus others that were more building-focused.鈥�
Both firms will work with a wide-ranging, interdisciplinary design-build team from UCSF in an integrated design and construction center to support collaboration, public engagement and the development of a holistic design. Mitchell said UCSF will work with HGA and Sn酶hetta to select a design builder, and that firm will serve as the general contractor, with the designers integrated under that contract, along with an array of trade partners.
鈥淭he HGA and Sn酶hetta team embody traits that are not just important for a successful design partnership, but also represent our aspirations for the PRAB project, including collaboration, creativity, innovation and excellence,鈥� said Brian Newman, senior associate vice chancellor, UCSF Real Estate, and vice president, UCSF Health. 鈥淭he two firms see the project site and its topographical challenges as opportunities to open up the interior of the campus and facilitate movement from the PRAB to other buildings.鈥�
Breaking up the silos that once defined scientific research, UCSF creates spaces where a cell biologist might cross paths with an immunologist, leading to a collaboration that could create a new approach to treating a deadly disease. While the bulk of the PRAB will be for researchers, a portion will be designed specifically for educational uses. Graduate students will be able to work in labs and attend classes under one roof. To enable telepresence and build on recent advancements in virtual and hybrid learning, classrooms will be designed with accessibility and flexibility in mind.
鈥淭he HGA and Sn酶hetta teams were inspired by the culture of collaboration and dedication to teamwork for which UCSF is known,鈥� said Chris Martin, science and technology market sector leader and principal at HGA. 鈥淲e are excited to be a part of expanding the legacy of this premier institution by creating a forward-looking research and academic setting to advance human health outcomes and, hopefully, facilitate scientific breakthroughs, where new methods and technologies can lead to exceptional results.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to work with UCSF, HGA, and local partners to bring the PRAB project to life,鈥� said Alan Gordon, Partner and architect at Sn酶hetta.聽 鈥淥ur work is defined by collaboration, as we work with stakeholders to realize educational and cultural projects alike. UCSF has become a landmark institution in San Francisco, and we look forward to reimagining this site and the future of the Parnassus Heights campus.鈥�
Michelle Delk, also a Sn酶hetta partner and landscape architect, added 鈥淪n酶hetta鈥檚 approach centers on cultural exchange and the public realm.鈥� Delk explains, 鈥淭he PRAB project will not only serve clinicians and researchers at UCSF, but will include new vistas, promenades, and public gathering areas that will take advantage of San Francisco鈥檚 climate and natural context to bring added beauty to the site and campus.鈥�
The PRAB is expected to open in 2026.