Hunt-built, Viñoly-designed cancer research building opens at UCSF

Hunt Construction Group has completed construction on the University of California, San Francisco’s Helen Diller Family Cancer Research building. The 161,757-sq-ft building is scheduled to open this month.

The five-story laboratory facility will house three of the institution’s premier cancer research programs.

San Francisco-based Flack + Kurtz was the mechanical/electrical engineer and San Francisco-based Nabih Youssef & Associates of San Francisco was the structural engineer on the project.

Designed by architect Rafael Viñoly of New York, the building layout is designed to encourage interaction among scientists and enhance the interior environment with ample natural light. Two interlocking L-shapes create a five-story interior atrium where they overlap, providing a natural environment for interaction and shared functions. Bridges, terraces, and conference and break rooms were built into the atrium.

Downtown San Diego development is completed

DPR Construction has finished construction on The Lofts at 707 Tenth Avenue, a mixed-use residential building located in downtown San Diego. KMA Architecture & Engineering provided design development and construction documents for the project and Austin Veum Robbins Partners designed the project owned by Oliver McMillan.

The residential building is within walking distance of PETCO Park and the Gaslamp District. The eight-level, 137,700-sq-ft structure features a sleek, modern design inspired by the flourishing commercial and residential development of downtown’s East Village. The lofts sit above street-level retail and live/work space and feature underground parking.

Engineering services were provided by Glotman Simpson, TKG Consulting and Nasland Engineering. Schmidt Design was the landscape designer and Jules Wilson provided interior design services.

Perkowitz+Ruth completes shopping center remodel

Long Beach-based Perkowitz+Ruth Architects recently completed a renovation of Bristol/Sunflower, a 140,000-sq-ft shopping center located in Santa Ana.

Working on behalf of Pacific Development Group, the effort completely transformed a 20-year-old shopping center. Enhancements included a complete façade remodel, featuring new colors, materials and finishes, as well as the redesign of hardscape and landscape.

The entire development was structurally brought up to building code, as well as ADA standards. Lighting was enhanced in order to increase the lighting levels and ensure the safety of its guests. Signage was modernized, the weight of the roofing was decreased and paving was refurbished throughout the center.

Bristol/Sunflower now boasts a variety of uses, including large-format retail, regional retailers, restaurants, office space and an outdoor food court positioned within a two-level pad building.

Barnhart begins work on four high school stadiums in Torrance

San Diego-based Barnhart, Inc. will serve as the construction manager for four high school stadiums in the city of Torrance.

The $9.4-million project is being built at Torrance, North, South and West High Schools in the Torrance Unified School District.

The existing stadiums at the four schools are approximately 50 years old and are being torn down and replaced.

The improvements will include new sports fields, eight-lane tracks, aluminum bleachers and press boxes. The new facilities are scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the high school football season in September 2009.

Funding for the stadiums is being provided by School Bond Measure Z, a $90-million funding program passed by local voters in the November 2008 election.

The architecture firm of Westberg + White designed the stadiums.

KTGY and Workforce Homebuilders begin affordable housing project

The KTGY Group, Inc.-designed Villaggio at Route 66 project has begun construction.

Working with KTGY, Rancho Cucamonga-based Workforce Homebuilders LLC is building the workforce housing project located in Rancho Cucamonga.

Framing for the first floors of the buildings have been completed and framing of the second floors has begun.

Villaggio at Route 66 is a 166-unit mixed-income apartment community with approximately 80% of the units set aside for those who earn 35% to 60% of the area’s median income.

The 10-acre development will consist of one-, two- and three-story buildings with 100 two-bedroom units and 66 three-bedroom units, as well as a 5,600-sq-ft community building, two tot lots, a pool and fitness center, business center, and an education center for residents. The project is expected to be completed in the fall.

Great Park board approves park design plan in Orange County

The Orange County Great Park Corporation Board has approved the comprehensive park design for the Great Park presented by designer Ken Smith and the Great Park Design Studio. The approval of the design moves the 1,347-acre Great Park from the planning and design phase to the production phase.

Design and engineering of park’s elements and infrastructure are contained in the design plan. Design elements include the Sports Park, Wildlife Corridor, Agua Chinon, upper and lower canyon, the Lake, the Bosque, agriculture elements, and many other features identified by a variety of stakeholders throughout the planning and design process.

The design plan features sustainable infrastructure, including renewable energy generation, non-polluting park shuttles, connections to mass transit, water reclamation and natural water treatment systems and recycling of runways to build a variety of park features.