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to Mission Bay Designs Now that the five designs in the Mission Bay competition are available locally in the Medical Sciences lobby and online on Daybreak, people on campus are putting in their two cents worth. A casual survey of UCSF students and staff, conducted as they viewed the designs in the MedSci lobby, generated a few consistencies of opinion. The written comments received thus far (from the forms available at the display) suggest a unity of opinion, but a different one. Results from Casual Survey Although tastes, as well as the range in architectural styles of the designs, vary, three concerns were common. First, that the design foster collaboration among researchers and lead to casual interaction. Second, that the design maximize the space available for research laboratories. And third, that the labs receive sunlight and that the campus have green, open spaces. Although it is difficult to ascertain whether these criteria are met by the available models and renderings of the design proposals, many staff and students said they would base their choice of design on these criteria and not on aesthetics. Although many were intrigued by the modern design created by Sasaki Associates of San Francisco, they thought the design was either “too modern” or not the best use of space. The designs that are more traditional in style, such as those proposed by Solomon Architecture and Urban Design, and STUDIOS Architecture, both of San Francisco, are early favorites. Two dental students favored Solomon because the design “fits into the neighborhood” and “is more traditional” than others. Another person viewing the designs liked the STUDIOS design because “it fits in with the cityscape, has lots of windows, light and open space” and because “the buildings are connected and not far apart.” A postdoc in the School of Medicine also liked STUDIOS because it “looks more utilitarian. The others may look more aesthetically pleasing but I don’t know if they use space correctly.” Results from Written Comments The UCSF community is invited to register their opinions by filling out the comment forms available in the MedSci lobby and online and sending them to JM-MB at Box 0462. Of the four comment sheets returned thus far three chose the Sasaki design as their favorite. One commentor wrote: “Best of the group - has a relaxed atmosphere yet extremely high tech in building design.” The only dissenting voice was in tune with a description heard more than once, i.e., it looks like it would fit in at SFO. Students and staff will have an opportunity to register their opinions, in person, on Oct. 28, from noon until 1 p.m. in HSW 303, following a brief slide presentation of the five proposals. Presentations by each of the five design competition finalists will take place on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Schwab Room of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art at 151 Third St. Final jury deliberations will take place on Sunday, with the winner selected the same day and announced Monday, Nov. 3 at the Palace Hotel. By Paula Murphy 1st appeared 10/24/97 |
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