The Segerstrom Science Center at Azusa Pacific University is the largest single capital investment ever made in the history of the university. The 70,000 sf state-of-the-art science facility was designed to achieve LEED Gold certification and houses the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, along with research and teaching components for the School of Nursing and Department of Physical Therapy.

The structure is predominantly a steel moment system with an exterior skin comprised of multi-colored cement board and full-height translucent channel glass. The innovative glass façade creates a rich and modern contrast to the cement and allows for natural light to penetrate the interior by day and radiate diffused light at night. It gave the designers the opportunity to convey the university’s philosophical and theological approach to the sciences by allowing large-format graphics to be etched into the glass. The subtle and delicate biblical phrase inscriptions are visible at varied angles, allowing viewers the opportunity to discover them, layer by layer, as they approach the building.

The building’s triangular mass is designed by two and three-story elevations that define a central open-air courtyard. The courtyard includes a 40’-long freshwater ‘teaching pond’ stocked with flora and fauna, making it useful in assisting the study of life science. The outdoor space also gives students and faculty an informal area to collaborate, study and socialize. In addition to the requisite spaces for teaching and research, the new science center includes: a 200 sf rooftop greenhouse, student conference rooms, private faculty lounges and rooftop garden spaces with views to the surrounding mountains. Running along the entire northern face are glass channels punctuated with clear glass windows; the glass channels distribute even light throughout the laboratories, while the windows provide peek-a-boo views to the mountains.

Central to APU’s traditions is the ideal of being a good steward of the environment. This tradition was incorporated in to the overall design by reducing the building’s effect on the environment. The use of sustainable materials, ‘appropriately’ sized building systems, bio-swales to reduce toxic runoff, rooftop garden spaces, and drought-resistant landscaping all combine to make this the greenest building on campus, exceeding California’s Title 24 Energy Code by 11%.

Southwest Corner

First Floor

Second Floor

Floorplans

Third Floor

North Elevation

Exterior Circulation at Southwest Corner

Details

Exterior Circulation at Northeast Corner

Rooftop Greenhouse

a z u s a p a c i f i c u n i v e r s i t y

SEGERSTROM SCIENCE CENTER

Azusa Pacific University

70,000 SF

2009

Azusa, CA

• Gatewaybuildingandthelargestsinglecapitalinvestment ever made at APU.

• Exteriorskiniscomprisedofmulti-coloredcementboard.

• Innovativetranslucentchannelglassonthefaçadecreatesarich and modern contrast to the cement and allows natural light to penetrate the space by day, and interior lights to glow at night.

• University’sphilosophicalandtheologicalapproachtothesciences is conveyed via large-format Bible verse etching on the glass panels.

• Triangularmassofthebuildingcreatesacentralopen-aircourtyard complete with a 40-foot ‘teaching pond’.

• “Green”projectcomponentsinclude:sustainablebuildingmaterials, ‘appropriately’ sized building systems, bio-swales to reduce toxic runoff, and drought-resistant landscaping.

• SlatedforLEEDGoldcertifications,thebuildingexceedsCalifornia’s Title 24 Energy Code by 11%.

Client

Size

Completion

Location

Key Points