Connecting campus communities, the UC San Diego Mesa Nueva multiple mixed-use buildings define and connect a series of outdoor rooms that respond to the natural site and foster community. The project consists of five housing buildings and a parking garage. The on-campus housing complex, which totals 270,000 square feet across the various facilities, consists of 853 single occupancy micro apartments plus common areas. Inside and out, Mesa Nueva’s amenities serve as mixing chambers, delivering flexibility, access, and choice to the diverse resident population. The design increases housing density in a respectful way that connects to the larger landscape and community and addresses a waiting list with thousands of graduate students seeking affordable on-campus housing.

Ready for Any Setback

Early specialty contractor involvement, monthly team meetings and planned focus teams were just a few of the strategies that contributed toward creating this project’s extremely effective approach to teaming. This cohesion turned a project team nightmare into success. After 36 hours away from the project site, the team came in on a Monday ready to walk with the Campus Fire Marshal for final sign-off and found four floors flooded due to the malfunction of a single faucet. With quick thinking, coordinated processes, and a proactive approach, the team as able to clean up the water, fix the problem, strip the floors, completely refinish the housing apartments and re-open to the students in only 47 days – a true testament to the team and the power of the integrated process.

Design-Build Team

Client/Owner:	The Regents of the University of California
Design-Build Firm:	Hensel Phelps
General Contractor:	Hensel Phelps
Architect:	Mithun, Inc.
Engineer:	MA Engineers
Specialty Contractors:	Helix Electric Inc.
Project Manager:	Hensel Phelps
Construction Duration:	24 Months
Project Cost:	$188,040,801.00

Photo Credit: Bruce Damonte