Diversity the Key to UC Irvine’s Architecture

Architecture may not be part of the academic curriculum at UC Irvine, in Orange County, but it is very much on display there.

Set on the rolling hills of the old Irvine Ranch are five new buildings that update the expanding campus and make for an architecturally engaging tour.

Warning: University officials strongly urge you to visit on weekends, when the campus’ persistent parking problem eases. Beginning next Saturday, classes are out for the summer and parking will be more available during the week as well. A final caveat: You may want to avoid the campus today, commencement day.

Making the architecture particularly interesting these days is that the school is quite consciously breaking out of a neo-monumental concrete mold--that had held the campus in a stiff institutional embrace since the 1960s--to take on a much more diverse form.

This has been a laudable effort of the school administration and its campus architect, David Neuman. With the blessing of the regents, various “name” architects have been hired in recent years and encouraged to pursue individualistic styles in designing an assortment of structures to serve a steadily expanding student population (now at about 13,000).

Certainly the most provocative of the five new facilities that have been completed is the $1.5-million Information & Computer Sciences/Engineering Research facility, designed in a hard-edged, high-tech style and sited in a contentious cluster outside the campus’ ring mall by Frank O. Gehry & Associates.

The facility won a national AIA honor award this year, with the jury commenting that “the imaginative use of common materials such as galvanized and corrugated metal, cement, and stucco helps create a sense that this is a special place, a refreshing addition to the campus.”

Architecturally speaking, the materials are expressive and the building does read well, especially in contrast to the pompous futuristic designs of most of the buildings constructed in the 1960s. (These include the Social Science complex, which was used as backdrop for the science-fiction film “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.”)

But within the cluster designed by Gehry, pedestrian circulation is confused and excessive, and, in the main stair tower, does not take advantage of views that could have been provided by windows. Also disappointing are the public spaces; a slapdash courtyard and an uninviting terrace.

It seems Gehry once again has a sculptural success; a distinctive structure that makes a statement with a capital “S” and draws attention to itself and its setting, but unfortunately does not appear to function very well for its daily users. One also expects that the facility will not age gracefully.

Functional above all is what the recently completed Bren Events Center seems to be. Designed by the firm of Parkin Architects in a modest updated Moderne style with high-tech touches, the multi-use gymnasium and auditorium on Bridge Road is a no-nonsense structure relieved somewhat by rounded corners. A more imaginative landscape than the minimalist exercise by the firm of SWA would have helped both the center and the setting.

Also apparently functional, but better sited and more imaginatively detailed is the new Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic. Though I did not enter the structure tucked away on the western edge of the campus off California Avenue, the building designed by the firm of Bobrow/Thomas exuded a sense of purpose and style.

Of the recently completed buildings, the most engaging have to be the University Extension building and the Phineas Banning Alumni House, both off North Circle View Drive and both designed by Charles Moore and the Urban Innovations Group. They are a delight.

The extension building was completed two years ago and the alumni house this spring, both in a relaxed Post Modern style borrowing images of Roman chapels and Southern Californian missions. Adding much to their charm are the well-scaled courtyards, terraces and gardens, marked by pergolas, lattices and loggias, sensitively designed and planted by landscape architects Campbell & Campbell in the spirit of the early Rancho and Craftsman traditions.

With an array of native and exotic plants, and views of the distant San Gabriel Mountains, the extension and alumni complex is a marvelous place to stroll. We do look forward to a guide being prepared to the select plantings there, similar to the “UCI Tree Tour.”

The “Tree Tour” guide, which outlines a self-guided tour of the diverse plantings in the 21-acre Aldrich Park in the center of the campus, is available from the Student Activities office in the University Center. To get to that office, ask for a campus map at the kiosk on Bridge Road, near its intersection with Campus Drive. Ask directions at the kiosk, and consult the map, to find visitor parking. The map also will be helpful in finding the new architecture.

The five recently completed buildings are just a hint of what is coming. In various stages of construction and planning are a range of buildings by such diverse firms and designers as Robert A. M. Stern; Venturi, Rauch & Scott Brown; Arthur Erickson; Kaplan McLaughlin Diaz; Esherick, Homsey, Dodge and Davis; MBT Associates; Eric Moss, with Albert/Wurzburger; Coleman/Caskey, with Okamoto & Associates; the Kennard Design Group; and another by Gehry.

What UCI soon will be needing in addition to a landscape guide is an architecture guide.