The World War II-era Cal Tech wind tunnel, a 100,000 sf heavy concrete building, was renovated into a facility housing art classrooms, animation labs and gallery spaces. A major design challenge involved the penetration of daylight into the deepest part of the building. L+U provided daylighting and sustainability consulting and full project management of the LEED certification process. The project includes extensive daylighting and a solar responsive Foil-Tec skylight system, near total recycling of construction waste, use of non-toxic finishes, a low-emissivity and green roof, and a multi-year contract with a green power provider.

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The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award, 2005

LEED Certified, US Green Building Council, 2005

AIA Los Angeles Chapter City Rebuilding Presidential Honor Award, 2005

AIA California Chapter Design Honor Award, 2006

AIA Los Angeles Chapter Honor Award, 2008

Administration area daylighted through sculptural skylights and strategic incisions into the tilt-up concrete.