ucsd keeling apartments

This 500 bed student dormitory, named in honor of Dr. Charles David Keeling - the American scientist whose research at Scripps Institution first alerted the world to human impact on global atmospheric carbon - captures all roof and site area rainfall in an elegant system of vegetated roofs, conveyance channels, and bioswales that work together with an on-site gray water filtration and innovative building design to make it the first  LEED-NC Platinum certified housing project in the University of California System.

The site design establishes a high benchmark for sustainability and stormwater management in the coastal desert climate of San Diego.  The project reveals the usually invisible, underground storm drainage infrastructure - now beautifully integrated with outdoor amenities for the students, giving them a front seat to rushing streams during the dramatic winter storm events.  This infrastructure filters the run-off from rooftops and parking lots that was previously discharged untreated directly into the ocean.