UCLA DAVID GEFFEN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE BAP 03 Site Context & Climate | Los Angeles, CA | SOM Architects
Site Context The UCLA Geffen Medical Center is located in the urban fabric of Los Angeles, with high foot traffic and pedestrian activity on its southeastern end of the campus. To respond with the public’s need for circulation through the area, the architects allowed for an “open” building design that lets the public circulate through. This response places more emphasis on the public realm and its pedestrian entryway, than its previous main vehicular access.
Climate Analysis Throughout the year, temperatures in this area range from extremely hot(over 100 degrees Farenheit) to moderately cool(mid-60s). Having this extremely arid Mediterranean climate, the site of the Geffen School of Medicine encouraged a design that allowed for open circulation and outdoor shared spaces but also shading. To address this, a massive courtyard shaded by the surrounding wings of the medical school provide a comfortable outdoor space to relax, and with 30% of the passageways being outdoors I believe the building adapts to the climate nicely. As for more specific design choices, each orientation of the building properly adapts to the solar differences; the southern faces use long horizontal overhangs while the eastern and western faces use vertical fins to create maximum comfort and thermal efficiency.
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