Coastal Catering

A new 43,400-square-foot Housing Dining Hospitality Building has opened at the University of California—San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla. Dramatic growth of UCSD’s self supporting catering program, its existing facilities’ inability to keep up with demand, and the need to relocate the Housing & Dining Services administration offices led to the decision to combine these uses in one facility.

The $18.9 million building contains an 8,000-square-foot catering kitchen, lobby, and break room on level one. Office space for HDH administrative staff, catering sales, and support are on the remaining floors. An event space and terrace are on level four.

The design resolves a series of highly specific responses to the project’s program and coastal setting. East-west circulation on the building’s south side includes a ramp between Revelle Commons and a level-two overlook and terrace. The western orientation allows for sunset views into terrace areas while confronting intense solar gain. A high-performance, glazed west-facing screen wall passively controls direct solar gain and serves as a wind block for the terrace above.

Studio E Architects (San Diego) is architect for the project.