May 3, 1995 Contact: Robert Irion (408/459-2495)

EARTH AND MARINE SCIENCES BUILDING AT UC SANTA CRUZ EARNS AWARD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SANTA CRUZ, CA--The designers of the Earth and Marine Sciences Building at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have received a Merit Award in the 1995 awards program of the American Institute of Architects, California Council.

Judges recognized two architectural firms for their work on the building: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership of Los Angeles (design architects) and McLellan & Copenhagen of Cupertino (executive architects).

"An impressive university laboratory organized around a courtyard to form a commonality of functions," the judges commented. "The project is handsomely detailed. The nice series of really interesting rooms around courtyards fits in well with the very special Santa Cruz environment."

The $29.5 million laboratory and office complex on UCSC's "Science Hill" was occupied in the spring of 1994 and was dedicated last November. Located just below Natural Sciences 2 and above McHenry Library, the building houses about 175 faculty, researchers, and graduate students in the departments of earth sciences, marine sciences, the Institute of Tectonics, and the Institute of Marine Sciences. The latter institute, the largest organized research unit at UCSC, oversees the Joseph M. Long Marine Laboratory and includes numerous affiliated biologists.

The building contains 142,500 gross square feet in three separate components: a classroom wing that includes a 271-seat lecture hall; two massive laboratory blocks; and an L-shaped office and administration wing. Its design promotes interaction among faculty and researchers in interrelated disciplines. The building nestles in a forested site and includes a large landscaped central courtyard. Portions of the four-story building overlook Monterey Bay.

Editor's note: For a photograph of the building, call the UCSC Public Information Office at (408) 459-2495.

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