Barnhart Inc. Completes 2 Projects for the University of San Diego

Barnhart Inc., a San Diego-based construction manager, has completed the Degheri Alumni Center and the West Hill Parking Structure for the University of San Diego.

The $6.3 million Degheri Alumni Center, located on the former site of Harmon Hall, is a three-story structure. The 30,425-sq.-ft. steel-framed building incorporates USD's 16th Century Spanish Renaissance architecture. The project was designed by San Diego-based Wheeler Wimer Blackman architects.

The building features an alumni "living room" with a fireplace; open-air courtyard; a rear patio and a conference room for events and gatherings. The center is home to the campus hospitality center; offices for alumni relations, parent relations and fund-raising; and the communication and marketing departments.

The center is named after alumnus and investment banker Bert Degheri (class of 1966), whose family foundation donated funds for the project.

The 249,000-sq.-ft. West Hill Parking Structure consists of six stories of cast-in-place, post-tensioned deck construction, three levels of which are below grade. Two tram stations-one at ground level and one at roof level-serve students, staff and guests. The 774-space structure has two elevators and a carbon dioxide diminution system. Other features include the development of a back-up generator system for emergency purposes and an electrical power substation on the east side of the structure, which was developed to accommodate future expansion of the university.

Spanish Renaissance architecture is featured on the facade of the $10 million structure to compliment surrounding buildings and the continuance of the campus theme. The project was delivered by the design-build method. Innovative Design Group and Mosher Drew Watson & Ferguson were Barnhart's design-build partners.

The parking structure accommodates the new Shiley Science and Technology Center and relieves some parking congestion on the main campus. The structure is set below Marian Way (the main thoroughfare through the USD campus) on a hillside to minimize impact on the area and existing ingress and egress into the main campus area.

USD project team members included Roger Manion, assistant vice president of facilities management; Conley Robinson, planning, design and construction manager; and Tom Coffin, capital planner for the University of San Diego.

Gayne Wimer represented Wheeler Wimer Blackman and Don Leonard represented Mosher Drew Watson & Ferguson. Mike Derouin, Steve Ybarrando, Tim Berry and Vicki Bonino represented Barnhart.