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This section includes general Design Guidelines for the core campus as a whole, as well as for certain specific types of places on campus with particular design conditions. However, as prescribed in policy
3.2, each major project also requires project-specific guidelines, to ensure the unique features of the site and environs are respected, and the project scope includes the site and landscape improvements described in the Portfolio.
The use of the word 'shall' in the Guidelines is not meant to entirely preclude alternate design solutions. The best solution for a site should not be rejected just because we could not imagine it in advance. However, while the project architects may present a concept which departs from the Guidelines, they must also present a concept which conforms entirely to the Guidelines. As a rule, the campus shall not depart from the Guidelines except for solutions of extraordinary quality.
For new university capital investments in the Southside, the campus shall utilize the Design Guidelines in the 2000 Joint Southside Plan, as described in strategic goal 7.
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Design Guidelines 
Campus design has always been diverse. John Galen Howard himself broke with the classical vocabulary of his first several campus buildings to design the gothic-inspired Stephens Union; and the classical buildings themselves were departures from the earlier Victorian styles of North and South Halls. However, while the design of each building should reflect its own time and place, it should also reflect the enduring values of elegance, quality and durability, and form a coherent and memorable identity for the campus as a whole.
Moreover, there are several specific locations on campus where more prescriptive guidelines are required:
- New construction and renovation within the Classical Core shall enhance the integrity of this ensemble, and complement rather than compete with existing historic buildings.
- New buildings facing Places of Interaction shall shape these places, provide a sense of enclosure and security, and admit sunlight. Ground level spaces within these buildings shall house uses that observe and activate the place.
- Buildings at the City Interface shall be designed to create a graceful transition from campus to city, and enhance both the visual quality of the street and the pedestrian experience.
Guideline D.1
Preservation Setbacks
The preservation zones described below and in figure D.1 protect the major elements of the campus landscape armature, as well as its most significant historic exterior spaces. No new buildings shall intrude into the preservation zones.
Natural Preserves. The natural landscape along the two forks of the creek requires careful ecological management, as described in initiative 2.3, as well as protection from development and the impacts of adjacent development. The natural preserves zone is comprised of two subzones: zone 1, the natural riparian areas along the streamcourse, and zone 2, other rustic woodlands adjacent to the riparian areas.
- Zone 1 is dominated by native and naturalized plants forming dense woodlands along the streamcourse. The width of this zone may vary in response to local conditions, but in general shall be at least 100', centered on the streamcourse.
- Zone 2 includes those other rustic woodland areas adjacent to the riparian landscape, which have a strong complementary relationship to the creek, and which also often have a strong historic and symbolic identity in their own right, such as Observatory Hill or Eucalyptus Grove.
Hill Woodlands. While the woodlands east of Gayley Road are comprised primarily of introduced species, they provide a forested backdrop to the campus, and a graceful transition to the hills. Those woodlands that remain west of LBNL should be maintained as a preservation zone, to retain the unique rustic character they impart to the student residences, the Greek Theatre, and Gayley Road.
Central Glades (a) The preservation setbacks for the Central Glades reflect the axial geometry of the classical ensemble of buildings that frame and define them. No building to the north or south shall intrude within 180' of the east-west axis of the Glades: these setbacks coincide with the facades of Doe Library and McLaughlin Hall. The east edge of the preservation zone coincides with the east edge of Campanile Esplanade, below. At the west end of campus, the preservation zone widens to an arc 100' from the curbline of the West Crescent.
Mining Circle (b) The preservation zone is defined as a square 360' by 360' centered on the Circle. In order to reinforce the formal character of the Mining Circle as an outdoor room framed and defined by buildings, at least 75% of any new building facade shall lie on the setback line.
Gilman Esplanade (c) The preservation zone is defined as 50' on either side of the north-south axis centered on the Mining Circle and extending to the creek zone. To reinforce the continuity of spatial enclosure, at least 75% of any new building facade shall lie on the setback line.
Campanile Esplanade (d) The preservation zone for Campanile Esplanade reflects the formal geometry defined by the north-south axis of Sather Tower, and is defined as 100' east and 200' west of this axis: these setbacks coincide with the facades of Birge Hall and Bancroft Library. To reinforce the continuity of spatial enclosure, at least 75% of any new building facade shall lie on the setback line.
Campanile Way (e) The preservation setback is defined as 50' on either side of the east-west axis centered on Sather Tower and extending to the creek zone. To reinforce the continuity of spatial enclosure, at least 75% of any new building facade shall lie on the setback line.
Sproul Plaza and Sather Road (f) This 120' wide zone preserves the primary north-south route through campus as a gracious, generous space with unobstructed views of Sather Gate. The zone is defined by the facades of Doe Library, Wheeler and Sproul Halls on the east and King Union, Durant and California Halls on the west.
North Gate (g) This zone is defined as a view cone originating at the center of the North Gate circle, with the east and west sides aligned with the corners of the north facade of Doe Library.
Faculty Glade (h) This preservation zone for Faculty Glade is defined by the Strawberry Creek natural preserve to the north and west, Morrison Hall to the south, and Hertz Hall and Faculty Club to the east.
Guideline D.2
Perimeter Setbacks
Campus edges and entrances should create a positive first image of both the campus itself and its synergy with the city around it. New buildings at the core campus perimeter should be sited and designed to accommodate a more coherent and unifying landscape treatment.
Hearst & Bancroft Frontages. Buildings shall be set back at least 20' from the curbline to accommodate a formal, urban, but generous landscape treatment along both frontages. The Landscape Master Plan shall define a palette of planting and paving materials and typical details for these setbacks.
Oxford Frontage. The majority of the Oxford frontage is comprised of green open space: the Crescent, the Creek, and the proposed Edwards Green. In order to create a more coherent landscape treatment in the picturesque style along this frontage, new buildings along Oxford shall be set back a minimum of 60' from the curbline.
Gayley Road. One of the most memorable aspects of the campus is its setting at the base of the eastbay hills, and Gayley Road should be reinforced as the 'seam' linking the campus with the hill landscape. Each building shall be set back an average of 40' from the curbline to accommodate an informal landscape treatment along both sides of the roadway. While building edges should be articulated to vary the setback depth, no portion of a building shall be closer than 20' to the curbline.
Individual perimeter sites may have spatial relationships that require wider setbacks: for example, to align facades with neighboring buildings. These shall be prescribed in the project-specific guidelines.
Note: The setbacks prescribed in Guidelines D.1 and D.2 apply to all above-grade structures. Below-grade structures may extend into the setbacks, but only if they are invisible at the surface; provide soil depth adequate to support landscaping at grade; and do not compromise the integrity of sensitive landscapes. Any elements of below-grade structures that project above grade, such as vents, entry pavilions, or skylights shall be sited outside the setback.
Guideline D.3
Build-To Lines
Guideline D.1 prescribes build-to lines for certain historic campus open spaces. There are also certain other places on campus where build-to lines are desirable to shape, frame and activate streets and open spaces, and/or to relate positively to existing buildings. Figure D.2 designates critical build-to lines for potential building sites. While some variation is desirable to allow for entrances and facade articulation, at least 75% of the facade shall lie on the build-to line.
Guideline D.4
Orientation & Exposure
Each new building shall be oriented and designed to take advantage of solar angles and wind direction to reduce energy consumption. The design shall include consideration of shading options on south and west exposures to reduce heat gain in summer but admit natural light in winter. Shading options shall include landscape elements, such as deciduous trees, as well as architectural elements.
The design shall also include consideration of facade treatments that respond to the characteristics of each exposure with respect to heat, light and ventilation. For example: more glass on the north and east exposures, less glass and greater thermal mass on the south and west, and vents and operable windows located and designed to optimize natural airflow.
Classical core. Within the classical core the axial, orthogonal relationships of the historic ensemble shall take precedence in determining building orientation.
Guideline D.5
Active Frontages
Places of Interaction. Ground level spaces in each building facing a place of interaction shall house functions with a high frequency of human presence and public activity, such as lounges, libraries, cafes, display spaces, and walk-up services. The main building entrance shall be located in the facade facing the place of interaction.
City Interface. In the city General Plan, several sections of blocks adjacent to campus are designated 'commercial': ground level spaces in university buildings within those areas shall include retail and/or storefront services at ground level. Other university buildings at the campus perimeter or on adjacent blocks shall house functions with a high frequency of human presence and activity at ground level.
Guideline D.6
Entry Plazas & Terraces
Each new building shall be sited and designed to create a plaza or terrace at the main entrance, to serve as a casual gathering place for its users. The plaza or terrace shall be distinguished as a place by design - paving, lighting, furnishings - and shall incorporate provisions for disabled access.
Guideline D.7
Services
All bulk trash containers and building equipment shall be concealed within enclosures designed as integral elements of the architecture. Loading docks shall be concealed and secured when not in use.
Guideline D.8
Height
Places of Interaction. Buildings facing places of interaction shall be scaled to admit sunlight to the place and impart a comfortable human scale. As shown in figure D.5, buildings shall be no greater than 65' in height within 75' of the build-to line. Beyond this distance, height may increase 1' for every 1.5' of distance from the build-to line.
Individual sites may present spatial relationships that require lower heights along the build-to line: for example, to align cornice lines in order to create a more formal sense of enclosure. These shall be specified in the project-specific guidelines.
City Interface. Buildings at the campus edge shall be designed to create a graceful transition in scale from campus to city. Along the Hearst and Bancroft frontages, buildings shall be no greater than 65' in height within 100' of the curbline. On sloping sites, parts of the building may be greater than 65' but not over 80' in height, but the average height within the 100' wide zone shall be no greater than 65'.
Along the Oxford frontage, buildings shall be no greater than 95' in height within 200' of the curbline. On sloping sites, parts of the building may be greater than 95' but not over 110' in height, but the average height within the 200' wide zone shall be no greater than 95'.
Guideline D.9
Composition
Large buildings shall be designed to reduce their perceived mass and impart a human scale to the campus. Each building with a horizontal dimension greater than 200' shall incorporate changes in both facade plane and vertical height to reduce its perceived scale and bulk, as shown in figure D.3.
Each building over 3 stories shall have both an articulated base and an articulated top, as shown in figure D.4. Flamboyant architectural gestures are discouraged: rather, the top should create a simple and graceful terminus for the building.
Classical Core. Each new building within the classical core shall be composed of elements orthogonal in plan and composition, and sited to reinforce the axial relationships of the historic core buildings and the Central Glades.
Guideline D.10
Roof Forms
Roof top equipment shall be enclosed and concealed in every new building, and the enclosure shall be designed as an integral element of the building architecture. In new buildings, the design shall include consideration of roof forms that accommodate passive and active solar energy devices as elements integral to the building architecture.
Classical Core. Each new building within the classical core shall have a hip or gable roof, with a pitch similar to existing historic core buildings.
Guideline D.11
Facades
Each building shall be a coherent architectural composition, and shall employ a single, unifying vocabulary of forms, details and materials on all building facades.
In each new building, facades shall be composed primarily of solid planes with punched windows. While metal and glass wall systems may be employed as special architectural features, in general the pattern of solid and transparent elements shall respect the structural grid.
Classical Core. Each new building within the classical core shall be fenestrated exclusively with individual punched windows, having a greater vertical than horizontal dimension. Windows and doors shall be inset at least 6" from the exterior wall surface. Windows may be large and paned, but shall not span structural elements.
Guideline D.12
Architectural Materials
Exterior materials shall be selected to convey an image of quality and durability. Suitable primary exterior materials include granite, concrete and true plaster. Metal and glass wall systems may be used sparingly as special architectural features; however, dark, opaque or reflective glass is prohibited.
Visual interest shall be created by the articulation of planes and volumes, not by arbitrary changes in materials. Changes in materials shall occur only at the inside corners of changes in surface plane.
Classical Core. Each new building within the classical core shall utilize the following materials palette:
- Roofs: unglazed red clay mission tile.
- Walls: light grey granite or architectural concrete, sand finish.
- Windows: clear or lightly tinted glass, copper or bronze frames.
- Skylights: copper or bronze frames.
Guideline D.13
Site and Landscape Materials
The Landscape Master Plan, building on the Policies & Initiatives in this framework, will prescribe more detailed palettes of site and landscape materials for the campus.
Plant Materials. Landscapes within creek preservation zones 1 and 2 shall follow the guidelines prescribed in initiative
2.3 for plant selection. Elsewhere, plant materials shall be selected to fit the desired structural form and function, while also contributing to a campuswide landscape which is both diverse and well suited to its site, climate, and intensive use.
In general, plants with similar water and maintenance needs shall be grouped into zones to optimize both water use and maintenance. High maintenance zones shall be limited to building entrances and other heavily used places.
Site Materials. Presently nearly all routes on the central campus are surfaced with asphalt. While this material is suitable for vehicular roads and narrow, secondary pathways, major plazas and pedestrian routes deserve better: not only to improve their visual quality, but also to help clarify the hierarchy of routes and the primacy of the pedestrian.
Suitable paving materials for major plazas and primary pedestrian routes include brick, cast and natural stone, and concrete. Paving materials, lighting and furnishings shall be selected with care to ensure the identity and continuity of pedestrian routes are clearly discernable. Paving materials shall also be selected to maximize the amount of pervious surface. Paving materials that allow water infiltration are encouraged, particularly for secondary paths and roads.
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Figure D.1
Preservation Zones
Figure D.2
Design Controls
Figure D.3
Variations in Plane and Height in Long Buildings
Figure D.4
Articulated Base and Top (Pitched roof form required only within the classical core) |
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Program Guidelines
Campus buildings endure far longer than their initial contents, and should be designed to maximize their flexibility and adaptability. Although the future is unpredictable, a few basic conventions should be followed in the design of all new buildings to ensure these major investments have a long and productive life.
Guideline D.14
Ground Floor Spaces
Guideline D.5 prescribes specific programming for buildings facing Places of Interaction and at the City Interface. However, the program of every new building on campus shall seek to optimize its contribution to the quality of campus life. The ground level spaces of each building shall be reserved for its most public functions, and those spaces facing public areas shall be as transparent as the program allows. Main entry lobbies shall be designed as inviting places for waiting and engagement, with features commensurate with the scale and functions of the building.
Guideline D.15
Floor Heights
Each new building on the central campus shall have a floor-to-floor height of at least 15', in order to accommodate a wide range of instruction and research functions and the infrastructure they require. A greater height on the ground floor may be desirable to accommodate larger public and assembly spaces, such as libraries or lecture halls.
Guideline D.16
Floor Configuration
Each new building shall be configured to accommodate a broad range of functions. The need to provide for a specific program in the near term must be balanced against the rapid pace of cultural and technological change, and the long lives of campus buildings. In general, a building width of 75-80' can accommodate a variety of office, lab and classroom layouts.
Guideline D.17
Internal Partitions
Each new building shall be designed to consolidate fixed, immovable elements at the core and perimeter and minimize, or preferably eliminate, other immovable elements. Program and public spaces shall be demised with easily reconfigurable partitions.
Guideline D.18
Top Floor spaces
In tall buildings, particularly those with a view to the west, at least some top floor space with views should be reserved for conference/event rooms available for use by the entire campus. This is an emerging campus tradition, begun in Barrows and continuing through Wurster, Tan and Haas, and should be encouraged as a way to foster intellectual collaboration.
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Figure D.5
Heights of Buildings Facing Places of Interaction |
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