The major concept for the design of the new 8 floor Thomas Jefferson School of Law was “a contemporary + collaborative, social + academic learning environment”. ID Studios was tasked with creating a warm, clean and inviting interior experience for what might otherwise be considered a serious, scholarly setting. Taking influences from the ample beauty of nature in the San Diego region and incorporating them into the design and finish materials, made the task simple. Design elements reflect imagery of the bay, ocean shores, and cliffs, as well as regional architecture, parks, and mountain-scapes. Finishes have a variety of natural, earth colored stones and textural materials that weave through and bind more vibrant color palettes that vary from floor to floor. In addition, the new campus is set for LEED Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council, and materials were specified with this goal in mind. The building lobby features a magnificent Monument Staircase which has been likened to the image of a sail. The curved stair sits in an open volume, extending visibly to the 3rd floor. This primary vertical connection leads to classroom floors, which include a state-of-the-art Moot Courtroom, Class and Seminar Rooms, as well as recording studios used in facilitating distance learning. The 4th and 5th floors are home to the Law Library, Learning Centers, and the Student Lounge & Terrace, while floors seven and eight house Faculty & Staff Offices. In the library, the Circulation Desk, a major focal point, echoes imagery from the sea shore with design elements and materials flowing in concentric circles guiding students to the desk, while book shelves and lighting fixtures mimic ocean bluffs and sea gulls. The Student Lounge exudes energy and youth, and provides a variety of seating styles to accommodate different uses by the students. A central form takes inspiration from the great Banyan Tree in Balboa Park, and provides an inviting canopy to sit under, with a bamboo wrapped, low wall surrounding to lend a sense of enclosure and intimacy. With its view of the expanse and surrounding beauty of San Diego, the top floor is designated for the Faculty Lounge, Boardroom, and Terraces. The Boardroom takes full advantage of the height and shape of the roof, reflecting its chevron shape, which has become iconic for the school. The 8th floor space is well-appointed for the most special events and functions. The 178,000 square foot facility is modern, technologically cutting-edge, and unique among American law schools. It is an exceptional addition to the vibrant culture of the East Village in downtown San Diego.

The Executive Architect was Carrier Johnson and the Design Architect was S2 Architecture. ID Studios was the interior designer and Nowell & Associates was the landscape architect.

Image