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ARNOLD AND MABEL BECKMAN CENTER FOR CONSERVATION
RESEARCH
SAN
DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
Photography:
Frank Domain, Domain Photography
For over a quarter century, the San Diego Zoo’s Department of Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES) has celebrated signifi cant breakthroughs in conservation and science. Such efforts have had worldwide implications in preventing the extinction of wildlife, thus establishing CRES as a leader in research and wildlife conservation. Helping to further endangered species research is the recent completion of the new Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center for Conservation Research, a $22-million, 50,000 square foot, state-of-theart facility at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park.
The architecture refl ects the international scope of the research of CRES and draws on the Southeast Asian theme of the site’s context, as is found in the surrounding developments at the Wild Animal Park. The building mass was arranged around a central courtyard, which provides increased natural light into the laboratory and office areas, and also provides a central gathering space readily adjacent to each research division, creating opportunities for casual interaction and exchange of ideas.
Masonry use in this building was key to its ability to meet various project objectives including:
Creating a
visual tie to the adjacent buildings, thus
furthering the feel of a campus setting Using
sustainable materials with high recycled content
and local manufacturing. Using materials
of high thermal mass that have a cooling effect in
this desert-like environment creating a feeling of
permanence through use of durable long lasting
materials.
The project team has registered the project with the U.S.
Green Building Council and is pursuing LEED Silver Certifi
cation. A few of the LEED objectives included
are:
Renewable and
sustainable materials such as locally Produced
concrete masonry block, eucalyptus woods and
farm-grown bamboo were selected for both their
thermatic and renewable benefits. Recycled
materials used in carpeting, structural steel and
concrete masonry block. 90% of the water
generated by the construction process was recycled
for irrigation use. Waste products
were sent to recycling facilities. Indoor air
quality was improved through the use of minimal
“off-gassing” materials. Water-saving fi
xtures reduce water usage by 20%. Photvoltaic
panels provide 30 kilowatts of electrical power,
enough to run all the lights in the
building. Solar
orientation in both siting and fenestration were
carefully studied, with deep eaves and solar
shading devices integrated into the exterior
design.
ARCHITECT:
McGraw/Baldwin
Architects
701 B Street, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92101
Jim Ferguson, AIA
Principal
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:
Arcon Engineers
GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Turner Construction Company
MASONRY CONTRACTOR:
JB Masonry, Inc.
BLOCK PRODUCER:
RCP Block & Brick, Inc.
OWNER:
San Diego Zoological Society