commentWhen Robert Mondavi, renowned California wine producer, made a personal gift of $25 million to establish the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science within UC Davis’ College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, a new era of opportunity opened for the university in its widely acclaimed viticulture, enology, and food science programs.
The $61.8-million Robert Mondavi Institute combines the teaching and research programs for the departments of Viticulture and Enology, and Food Science and Technology under one roof.
The design team incorporated strategies to make the buildings as environmentally sensitive as possible, even though the university ultimately decided not to pursue LEED certification. For example, the corrugated metal roof identifies the agricultural imagery of the institute from a distance, while providing essential shading on the glass. Naturally ventilated stairways are clad in perforated stainless steel screens to minimize heat gain and mechanical cooling load. The warm Tuscan plaster palette softens the intense light, thick concrete walls aid in passive cooling, and a fully integrated electronic direct digital control building management and control system maintains the building’s active systems.
Project Team
Developer/Owner: University of California, DavisGeneral Contractor: Flintco Constructive Solutions, Folsom
Architect: ZGF Architects LLP, Portland, Ore.
Civil Engineer: Psomas and Associates, Los Angeles
Structural Engineer: Rutherford & Chekene, San Francisco
MEP Consultant: WSP Flack + Kurtz, San Francisco
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