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OCII finds UCSF—s Block 36 cancer building conforms with design standards; commissioners raise questions about glazing and lighting
Summary
The commission approved staff—s finding that UCSF—s proposed precision cancer medicine building conforms with the previously agreed memorandum of understanding and design standards. UCSF described program elements (exam rooms, infusion stations, imaging, radiation) and design goals; commissioners asked about glazing, evening illumination and neighborhood coordination.
The Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure voted unanimously on Feb. 21 to find that the proposed design for the University of California, San Francisco—s precision cancer medicine building on Mission Bay Block 36 substantially conforms to the design standards in the amended and restated memorandum of understanding between OCII and UCSF.
Michelle de Guzman, OCII development specialist for Mission Bay, summarized the MOU and design standards and said staff met with UCSF five times during the review. "Staff finds that the design conforms with the design standards as outlined in the MOU," she said.
Stuart Ekblatt, UCSF—s vice president for major capital construction projects, and lead architect Arturo Vasquez outlined program and design priorities: consolidating solid tumor cancer programs into a single outpatient facility with about 120 exam/consultation rooms, 45 infusion stations, 19 imaging modalities and dedicated radiation oncology equipment. UCSF emphasized transparency, patient experience and activating the ground plane; the team presented streetscape and landscape concepts to improve pedestrian access at the important Third and Sixteenth corner.
Commissioners pressed the design team on two practical concerns: the appearance and materiality of extensive glazing, and how evening illumination (lighting the roof "brow" or canopy) would be used to mark cancer awareness months. De Guzman said UCSF intends glazing that maximizes transparency ("It will not be smoked. It will not be dark") and acknowledged community input about nighttime illumination; UCSF plans to integrate educational and informational components so colors are clear to visitors.
Other questions addressed coordination with adjacent projects (Block 33, Warriors project) and construction coordination; UCSF said it has daily coordination processes in place and will continue to refine materials and lighting as design advances. The UC Board of Regents was expected to consider design approvals in March 2017 and UCSF anticipated construction would start in late spring with an opening targeted in a future February (date to be finalized).
Outcome: The commission voted 5–0 to approve the substantial conformance finding (roll call recorded five ayes). Staff and UCSF will continue design refinement and return for schematic design and subsequent approvals.
