Located on the vast horizons of California’s agrarian heartland, UC Merced is a part of the expansive Central Valley – one the most productive growing regions in the world. Image Credit: SOM

The ambitious public-private partnership nearly doubles the campus footprint to support the enrollment of 10,000 students by the year 2020. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

The expansion project of a new campus plan, design guidelines, infrastructure, open space, and 11 new LEED Platinum buildings, including state-of-the-art research facilities, laboratories, housing, and dining Pavilion. Image Credit: SOM

After designing the university’s original master plan in 2002, SOM was selected to lead the 2020 Project. Image Credit: Tim Fleming

The 2020 delivery provides a wet laboratory, faculty office, and classroom building housing, parking, a conference center, a dedicated transit hub for buses; a new wellness center; an enrollment center; and athletics facilities. Image Credit: SOM

In larger storm events, water is collected in inlets and routed to Cottonwood “Meadow” where the campus’ runoff is retained and detained until it has fully evaporated or infiltrated. By maintaining a compact campus, the lowland riparian corridor formerly known as Cottonwood Creek is recreated and preserved. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

Clusters of four- and five-story buildings create an urban street experience at the campus center. A primary driver of the site design was to unify the campus and connect to the larger community, with access and circulation networks connecting existing and new facilities. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

Projecting sun screens, large overhangs, wall extensions and informed building orientations shield interiors from the sun. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

Primary pedestrian pathways throughout campus are shaded by buildings, covered arcades, and maturing shade trees. Additionally, paving is light-colored or shaded to minimize the urban heat island effect and provide a comfortable pedestrian environment throughout campus. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

The buildings take into consideration sun and wind direction to minimize the impacts of climate on building conditioning loads. Image Credit: SOM

Providing a programmatic bridge between housing and Academic Quad, the Central Dining facility supports the vibrant and connected character of the campus. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

Large volumes and proximity to nature create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor and serve as flexible learning spaces. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

The Pavillion is layered programmatically and structurally, putting structure on display and creating a dynamic learning environment. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

The Pavilion, a new social hub fosters social engagement through large light-filled spaces with flexible seating. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

Architecture informed by the local farming vernacular emphasizes a sense of place within the valley. Image Credit: © SOM | Dave Burk

Structural geometries seen within the Pavilion dining facility emulate those of local cow sheds. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

The Sustainability Research and Engineering Building is where students and faculty are advancing UC Merced’s climate-focused mission. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

Designed to be a compact campus, the density of campus buildings preserves the surrounding open spaces while defining an urban student experience amidst the valley. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

In the Sustainability Research and Engineering Building, research is visually on display throughout the campus. Open air research facilities provide healthier working spaces. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

The Central Plant is the backbone of UC Merced’s energy system and is located near the heart of campus. Its perforated metal facade reveals its inner workings to teach students about sustainable engineering. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

The backbone of UC Merced’s energy system, the Central Plant delivers power and chilled water to the campus and is located near the heart of campus. Its 2-million-gallon thermal tank system is used for efficiently storing and chilling water. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

Buildings are clustered into zones of higher density, while natural areas, such as a wetlands zone near the campus, remain open and protected from development. These natural areas serve as an ideal outdoor laboratory for research and experiential learning. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk

Classes are held outside in the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve – students meet at the gate and walk out into the grasslands to conduct field research. Image Credit: SOM | Dave Burk