CO Architects’ overarching goal for the renovation and upgrade of the 1957 building originally designed by Paul Revere Williams, FAIA, is to simultaneously pull the inside out and bring the outside in, thereby reinforcing the identity of the La Kretz Botany Building and the research taking place within. The architects leverage the building’s location on the edge of the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden by using transparency to connect the building and users to the surrounding context. This same design strategy is also employed within the interior programmed spaces where glass and open floor plans create visual connections from the research laboratories through to the gardens. Transparency into the labs also affords science to be on display, allowing the previously hidden research program to inform the building’s identity and further highlight the collaborative research environment.
While working on the Phase 1 lobby renovation, the CO project team discovered a sketch among the original construction drawing set for an unrealized mosaic design by Williams. The botanical-themed sketch featured broad-leafed tropical plants, a motif that can be seen throughout Williams’ mid-century projects, particularly in his iconic banana-leaf printed wallpaper in the Lanai Room and Fountain Coffee Room of the Beverly Hills Hotel. CO’s designers colorized the sketch and used nearly 73,000 ¾-inch vitreous glass mosaic tiles in 14 hues to create a 285-square-foot wall mosaic that extends from the exterior along the lobby’s west wall.
In addition to creating the striking mosaic tile wall, CO Architects expanded the lobby and increased visibility to the adjacent botanical garden. By removing and replacing existing solid walls at the exit stair with a concealed roll-down fire shutter, the architects created unobstructed views from the front door and lobby to the garden beyond, enhancing visual connections that were previously hidden while reinforcing the building’s purpose for scientific exploration. The lobby also received a new glass-and-aluminum entry, polished concrete floors, and a linear wood-grille ceiling system with upgraded lighting.
The project’s second phase involved a full renovation—transforming the mid-century Botany Building into a modern research and teaching facility that will serve the campus far into the future. Previously underutilized, the building now allows for the consolidation of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), which had been spread across multiple buildings in siloed labs, and increases visibility for its work as well as that of affiliated faculty from the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability.
Design concepts set forth within the reimagined lobby, particularly those of transparency and establishing a connection with the outdoors, are reinforced throughout the building’s renovated interiors. The extensive use of glass and open floor plans creates a light, airy environment that encourages collaboration and efficient use of space despite the increased density of researchers. White wall surfaces reflect ample daylight, while wood slat details that echo from the lobby are complemented by light wood millwork.
Two new teaching labs feature extensive glazing to place science on display. Expanded laboratory space can accommodate up to 15 principal investigators (PIs) and their associated graduate and post-doctoral researchers, increasing opportunities for collaboration and creating efficiencies from sharing lab support functions. The building’s previously hidden research program now informs its identity and further highlights the collaborative research environment.
The renovated interiors include extensive dry labs—office spaces adjacent to the wet lab areas. To create a productive work environment for increased numbers of researchers, office suites incorporate a blend of private, shared, and open spaces. Conference rooms, huddle spaces, and alcoves offer meeting areas for various types of interactions away from the open-office stations. This solution was developed to resolve user concerns about potential distractions and lack of privacy within an open-office environment.
The building’s original single-pane horizontal strip windows were replaced with new double-pane high-performance windows to maintain the architectural integrity of the original design. To match the transparency of the existing single-pane glazing, low-iron glass was utilized for the new double-pane insulated glazing units. At the south side of the building, Williams’ design included fixed horizontal aluminum blade sunshades that provided effective solar control, but blocked the view to the garden. For the renovation, CO designed perforated aluminum shades that matched the profiles of the original design, and allow for views to the botanical gardens. The building was also seismically upgraded to meet UC Seismic Safety Policies.
The project goal set forth by the University of California Office of the President was to achieve LEED Gold and outperform the energy requirements of the California Energy Code (Title 24) energy-efficiency standards by at least 20%. To meet this goal, the design team zoned the dry lab (offices) and wet lab (laboratories) into two distinct zones, allowing the mechanical systems to be designed to maximize energy savings. Major reductions to the solar heat gain were achieved through the use of louvers along the south façade. LEED Gold certification is pending.
Honoring Williams’s design intent and legacy while establishing an open, transparent environment that connects the science within the labs to the botanical gardens beyond, the reimagined La Kretz Botany Building places botany on display from the first step through the front door.
