Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects wins UC Santa Cruz Institute of the Arts and Sciences

After rigorous competition against other renowned firms, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects of New York was selected by the University of California, Santa Cruz to design the university's new Institute of the Arts and Sciences. TWBTA was one of three finalists that included Allied Works Architecture of Portland, OR and Canadian firm Patkau, who worked with Fong & Chan.

With a cross-disciplinary focus that combines the arts and sciences, the new building will be the first of its kind at a research university.

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The idea for the Institute was established to be one of UCSC's priority initiatives in a comprehensive fundraising campaign announced this past fall. The architectural plan of the 30,000 sq.ft multi-functional facility features ample space for site-specific installations, exhibitions, seminars, residencies by artists and scholars, student and faculty research, and other public events. The Institute will also feature traveling art exhibitions and create projects related to UCSC's curriculum.

TWBTA will soon begin working with a school committee to review and revise their initial design concept. Afterwards, TWBTA will work on the production of a fundraising package of renderings and concept plans.

Current construction costs for the building are estimated between $32 million and $40 million. Total projects costs for design, engineering, environmental reviews, utilities, and other related costs have been set at $55 million.

According to the Institute's founding Director, John Weber, UCSC plans to move swiftly through the next programming phases throughout this summer and fall. Depending how quickly fundraising occurs, a set calendar for the project has yet to be determined.

All images courtesy of the UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences.