UC Irvine Mesa Court Towers Tour

UC Irvine Mesa Court Towers Tour

Design and Tour By: Mithun
CES Units: 2 HSW

Mithun was awarded this project through a design build competition, allowing the design team to test assumptions for all aspects of sustainability from the beginning.  For instance, they determined the best options for energy use are passive.  The three six-story towers were positioned in an east/west orientation to achieve daylighting, reducing hours when artificial light is required.  On east and west building sides where the building is transparent, high performance glazing and sun shading was used to block unwanted heat transmission from the sun, reducing the cooling load required.  In addition, dual operable windows in each dorm room resulted in 100% natural ventilation.  The building is modeled to exceed California Title 24 energy requirements by 34%.

Other examples include reduced energy through use of LED light systems, photovoltaic panels on rooftops augment the electrical supply from the grid, high efficiency pumps and chillers in the HVAC units, domestic hot water supplied by solar thermal hot water panels, and minimization of water use achieved by low water use fixtures and indigenous landscaping.  The use of exposed structural concrete walls as the finished exterior wall system, structural concrete slab as the finished floor material, and other lower carbon solutions contributed to a reduced carbon footprint.

UCI involves up to 1000 student residents as part of the sustainable solution through their engagement in sustainable behavior.  But as important to UCI as sustainability was to develop a culture of community and wellness.  In part, this was achieved by large open stair wells with seating that offer opportunities for student engagement.  In addition, the design promotes healthy eating with a fresh menu and zero waste operations at Anteatery, exercise at the on-site fitness center, and social health through community-oriented spaces that reinforce interpersonal connections.

Completed in 2016, Mesa Court Towers received a 2017 AIA|LA COTE Awards Honor as well as 2017 Project of the Year by the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA).

Photo Credit: Bruce Damonte

Presenter

Bill LaPatra, AIA, LEED AP
Partner – Mithun

With more than 30 years of professional service in the private and public sector, Bill serves as design partner on a range of commercial, corporate, and higher education projects.  A versatile leader and designer who integrates public benefit with private enterprise, he offers particular expertise in the development of complex urban sites involving combinations of civic, commercial and mixed-use buildings.  Bill leads projects from consensus-building input through completion, ensuring that each design grows from a deep green foundation, with technical rigor and a focus on character, purpose and place. He is well versed in a range of project delivery methods, including extensive experience with Design/Build and GC/CM approaches. Bill lectures nationally, is an active member in the community, and is a valued firm-wide mentor serving on Mithun’s Board of Directors.