Point Loma Nazarene University Science Complex/Career Johnson + Culture
Textual description provided by the architect. Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a 3,500-student university in San Diego, California, located on a lush coastal campus with landmarks from the Theosophists dating back to the 1800s and earlier. PLNU’s life is based on a strong faith guided by the doctrines of personal salvation, a life of service, and the primacy of the Bible. PLNU is also known for its highly rated science programs and medical school placement record. The existing Rohr Science building is 52 years old, and the growing needs of the chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and computer science departments have exceeded the facility’s capacity.
As PLNU’s strong science program grew in student enrollment, it needed a new science building to house state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories. The new building, located at the heart of the sloping campus adjacent to the continent’s first Greek amphitheatre, will be one of the university’s largest undertakings to date.
The new facility design supports the private university’s science program characteristics of hands-on learning, thoughtful instruction, and excellence in teaching. The facility consists of her two separate buildings, a laboratory and a classroom, connected by an elevated walkway that allows students to quickly move from theory to practice in just a few steps. The four classrooms are equipped with the latest technology that contributes to an enriching learning environment for both students and faculty. Thirteen advanced teaching laboratories specializing in biology, chemistry, and anatomy greatly enhance collaboration between students and faculty.
The entire facility is clad in insulated glass and smooth concrete. Along the southern exposure are the feathery, rhythmic curves of perforated metal panels laser-cut with the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, symbols with religious and scientific connotations. Natural light passes through this environmental screen, reinterpreting the effect of the tall stained glass windows of European cathedrals.
In response to the idea that the learning environment should extend beyond formal learning areas (classrooms/laboratories), design solutions that incorporate the campus’ warm climate and coastal location include a landscaped central plaza and We provided experiential outdoor social spaces of varying scale throughout the site, culminating in an expanded plaza. From a network of covered outdoor walkways to a rooftop terrace with sea views. These interconnected outdoor spaces foster interdisciplinary interaction and support the collegial and welcoming nature of the university.
Preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the hilly topography and sloping side slopes was an important aspect of the design. More than 48% of the project site is devoted to open space, consisting primarily of native or adapted plantings. The building footprint occupies 29.6% of the lot, which is 13,669 square feet less than the open space. The building appears to blend into the landscape while maintaining a strong architectural presence. The observation corridor has been carefully designed to frame the beauty of the surrounding natural environment from multiple perspectives, including the sea, coastal vegetation, and sun/sky through the placement and massing of the buildings.