What was once a 10-acre surface parking lot is now a mixed-use academic gateway that will meet an urgent need for student housing. This $508-million learning neighborhood accommodates 2,000 students and includes 30,000 sq ft of classroom space, 30,000 sq ft of retail, support facilities for a new college and 1,200 underground parking stalls.

Using BIM from conceptual design forward, the team ran climate-specific simulations on solar orientation, daylighting and passive survivability. These analyses shaped envelope decisions, reducing reliance on mechanical systems and elevating long-term building performance. This strategy resulted in an 80% reduction in predicted energy use, 50% interior lighting power reduction and 16% reduction in global warming potential by avoiding more than 7.9 million kg of CO2.