La Jolla Commons

  • Location
    La Jolla, CA
  • Completion Date
    November, 2013
  • Size
    2 acres
  • Team
    Architect: AECOM
    Civil Engineer: Leppert Engineering
    Structural Engineer: Nabih Youssef Associates
    MEP Engineer: WSP Flack + Kurtz
    Engineer: HMA Consulting
    Irrigation Designer: Sweeney & Associates
  • Photography
    Limelife, Jim Burnett, Dillon Diers
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About

Hailed for its net-zero approach, this office and hotel development embraces landscape as essential to a successful sustainable model. Splayed across 18-acres and realized in phases, the network of green and open spaces evokes a relaxed campus-like feel, reflecting the southern California lifestyle. A central garden anchors a two-tower commercial office precinct, and the spaces between the towers are dotted with resort-style amenities. Sweeping pedestrian promenades define the function lawn and organize circulation between the buildings. Parking is distributed, encouraging walking across the site. A basketball court and putting green are located at the perimeter of the site; interior amenities include a dining terrace, a gravel court with a fire feature and lounge chairs, and a shaded plaza with a reflecting basin and movable furniture.

Low impact and net-zero strategies work together with structures to achieve high performance goals. Site grading directs runoff from the curbless entry drive and parking areas into a linear bioswale that runs the length of the park. The planting design incorporates sweeping masses of jewel-toned succulents and drought-tolerant grasses that are so expressive of the southern California climate.

A basketball court and putting green are located at the perimeter of the site; interior amenities include a dining terrace, a gravel court with a fire feature and lounge chairs, and a shaded plaza with a reflecting basin and movable furniture and games.

Our goal was to exceed regulatory requirements for site conditions and set a higher bar for responsive and sustainable design.

La Jolla Commons in the Lab

La Jolla Commons

La Jolla Commons

  • PLANTING
  • WATER
  • WATER
  • CARBON, ENERGY + AIR

0%

of the site is softscape made up of native and adaptive plants, including 350 new trees

0%

of reclaimed water on site is used for irrigation

0gal

of water potentially intercepted by the trees, which is equivalent to the water usage for 175 American residents in one day

0lbs

of annual carbon sequestration from new trees, which is equivalent to a standard car driving 56,590 miles

PLANTING

0%

of the site is softscape made up of native and adaptive plants, including 350 new trees

WATER

0%

of reclaimed water on site is used for irrigation

WATER

0gal

of water potentially intercepted by the trees, which is equivalent to the water usage for 175 American residents in one day

CARBON, ENERGY + AIR

0lbs

of annual carbon sequestration from new trees, which is equivalent to a standard car driving 56,590 miles