University of California San Diego Theatre District Living and Learning Neighborhood

Faced with a rising demand for student housing, the University of California San Diego sought a cost-effective, flexible solution that could be delivered at speed without sacrificing quality or long-term maintainability. The result was the Theatre District Living and Learning Neighborhood. This multi-building student housing complex not only met immediate capacity needs but also delivered comfortable, durable living spaces enriched with features that support student well-being and community connection. Shared spaces like meditation pavilions, tea houses, a Market Hall dining area and rooftop meeting centers encourage connection among students, faculty and visitors, creating a vibrant, welcoming gateway that bridges campus and community.

Using Progressive Design-Build (PDB) allowed the university to engage the design-builder early, align goals, and make informed cost and scope decisions before finalizing the Guaranteed Maximum Price. This collaborative approach was critical in managing budget constraints, optimizing design for constructability and ensuring that schedule milestones matched the academic calendar.

A Model for Resilience and Adaptive Delivery
Though the final turnover extended beyond the original completion date, phased delivery ensured that the first building opened for fall 2023, avoiding any disruption to student housing commitments. The team navigated COVID-19 disruptions, supply chain volatility, labor shortages, weather impacts and staffing turnovers that strained team trust through honest, strategic communication. Transparent decision-making, a “One Team, One Mission” philosophy and flexible, adaptive sequencing kept the project on track to meet critical occupancy dates while minimizing cost escalation.

This project demonstrated the value of PDB for complex, time-sensitive campus housing needs. Its success not only reinforced UCSD’s ability to meet student housing commitments through phased delivery, but also helped rebuild trust with the university by honoring every adjusted milestone. The experience has informed UCSD’s future capital projects strategy, underscoring the benefits of early contractor involvement, transparent risk-sharing and adaptive sequencing. The result is more than a single housing complex — it is a tested blueprint for delivering student-focused facilities with resilience, collaboration and adaptability.

Winner – Best in Design – Architecture

This is a large-scale, multi-building design that transforms a 10-acre site into a welcoming gateway. Thoughtfully integrated across several structures, the neighborhood supports student wellness through spaces shaped by data and neuro-research, from meditation pavilions and tea houses to terraces overlooking public greenspaces. Proximity to the La Jolla Playhouse further strengthens community ties. Jurors described how “every element was intentional and well-executed” and said, “This project showed what’s possible when architectural design puts people first.”

Winner – Best in Leadership/Teaming

One juror said it best, “When trust was tested, this team proved what true collaboration looks like.” Faced with leadership changes, shifting budgets and pandemic disruptions, the UC San Diego team stayed the course — rebuilding trust through transparency, shared leadership and a “One Team, One Mission” mindset. By embracing Progressive Design-Build and vulnerability-based trust, they turned challenges into growth opportunities. The result: over a million square feet of student-centered housing delivered through perseverance, innovation and teamwork – a model for how design-build leadership rises strongest when tested.

Design-Build Team

Photos

Photo Credit: Lawrence Anderson