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SDG&E MISSION SKILLS TRAINING FACILITY
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
Photography:
Brad Anderson, Architectural Photography, Inc.
Randy Robbins, AIA
Jury
Comments: The scale has been broken down into
nicely proportioned building elements, which together with
creative blending of block color and texture, draws your
attention away from the fact that the building is over
47,500 square feet in size.
The public utility company identified significant
increases in demand for training of technical and
performance support personnel and the need for a new
training facility.
Early feasibility studies had assumed a single story facility. A design workshop was conducted with the user groups, producing a series of viable design options. A 47,500 square-foot, two-story solution was selected, as it proved more cost effective and decreased impact on existing site facilities and infrastructure.
Inspired by the surrounding electrical substations, towers and high-voltage power lines, the building forms and elements for this new training facility provide a unique environment on the crest of a mesa overlooking Mission Valley. Essential indoor/outdoor instructional areas, externalized circulation and articulated interior functions, create physically discrete operational zones. The design solution is tailored specifically to short and medium term needs, but is respectful of long-term corporate demands for flexibility.
Concrete masonry units in a combination of natural colors and multiple surface treatments form the building volumes and reflect the hues and textures of the physical context while ensuring a minimization of maintenance. Building elevations are constructed with either a single color split face block, or as a random speckle pattern with three colors of both split face and precision block. Colors used are sourdough, wheat and red-brown. The pallete is completed with the colors and textures of the rugged landscape and the contrast of the exposed steel structure.
Integration of the new training facilities with the existing context, and a need for economy reveals an expressive industrial aesthetic.
ARCHITECT:
Austin Veum Robbins Partners
600
W. Broadway, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92101
Randy
Robbins, AIA
Ralph Linder, AIA
Claudia Salazar
Edward Lynch
Design Team
STRUCTURAL
ENGINEER:
Envision Engineering
GENERAL
CONTRACTOR:
Reno Contracting
MASONRY
CONTRACTOR:
Dittmann Masonry, Inc.
BLOCK
PRODUCER:
ORCO Block Company
OWNER:
San Diego Gas and Electric
