McCarthy Completes Construction of J.

Craig Venter
Institutes Landmark Net-Zero-Energy Genomic
Laboratory in La Jolla
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bringing to life what is sure to become one of San Diegos most
iconic buildings, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. has completed construction for the new J. Craig
Venter Institute (JCVI), La Jolla, located on a 1.75-acre scenic site at 4120 Torrey Pines Road on the
University of California, San Diego, (UCSD) campus.
Designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects (ZGF), the three-story, 45,000-square-foot building is
an apt tribute to its prominent, coastal location, with its long, slender shape. Exposed architectural
concrete panels, Spanish cedar wood siding, a wood-framed window curtain wall and storefront
system, metal panels, and an expansive photovoltaic array give this building its signature identity.
The net-zero-energy facility represents the most ambitious sustainably designed biological research
laboratory project ever to be built and is integral to JCVIs quest to perform the science needed to
solve critical environmental and human health challenges. The landmark building has been built to
earn LEED Platinum Certification.
Our new facility was built not only to advance genomic research, but to showcase how science can
be compatible with the best of environmentally sustainable practices, said JCVI Founder and CEO J.
Craig Venter, Ph.D. Construction completion of this remarkable building signifies the fulfillment of a
long-time dream to return to the UCSD campus where I began my research career and collaborate
with other scientists in the region to find solutions to our most pressing social issues.
The new JCVI, La Jolla, currently has about 90 employees but is designed to house approximately
125 scientists and staff. The JCVI teams are focused on a variety of genomic research areas
including continued work in synthetic biology; sampling and analysis of the worlds oceans, fresh
water and soils to better understand the microbes living in these environments; and new analysis on
the human genome in the hopes of discovering new insights into disease prevention and treatment.
The location of the facility, on land leased from UCSD, was chosen for its proximity to and potential
for collaboration with the many renowned academic research centers in the La Jolla area.
The new JCVI facility comprises a three-story, 28,600-square-foot office wing and a single-story,
12,605-square-foot laboratory wing. The laboratory and office wings are perched atop the
roof/podium deck of the partially below-grade parking garage.
Solid-core cedar wood frames the windows some 40-feet high and bamboo flooring adorns the
lobbies and interactive areas. Large conference rooms are equipped with high-tech systems to
facilitate video conferencing and collaboration with numerous global collaborators. The west end of
the third floor provides myriad social spaces, complete with a cafeteria and small kitchen for staff,
and a private conference room dedicated to Dr. J. Robert and Betty J. Beyster, who in April 2013
donated $2.5 million to JCVI.
The light-filled laboratories have 14-foot-high ceilings, with floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides. A
catwalk above the labs enables easy servicing of mechanical systems without disturbing the
scientists working below. Energy and water usage is carefully monitored.

The concrete walls, columns, footings, slab on grade, slabs on metal deck, and podium deck utilize
30 percent fly ash, which contributes to the LEED credits in the category of Recycled Content. For
optimum aesthetic appeal, the exposed architectural walls and columns use Type III cement and
feature outward ribs separating each panel. Concrete cast-in-place stairways further add to the
clean, modern look of the building. McCarthy self-performed all the concrete work, drawing on the
expertise of the same concrete specialist who oversaw work on the Salk Institute for Biological
Studies East Building Addition, which McCarthy completed in 1995.
To meet the clients goal of creating the most sustainable laboratory in the world, the facility
incorporates high performance architecture, low-energy-use systems, water conservation strategies
and onsite renewable power generation. The building massing and envelope are designed to
maximize the use of daylight while reducing overall building energy use. Being net-zero for electrical
energy, the building will produce as much electricity on-site as it consumes annually. This is made
possible by integrating numerous energy efficiency measures throughout the building systems and
using advanced building technologies such as a Lutron lighting control system that senses when and
how much light is needed by occupants at any given time of day. The building also incorporates
operable windows.
On-site renewable energy is generated through the sizeable photovoltaic roof. The project team also
pursued aggressive water conservation. Rainwater and condensation will be collected and stored in
giant underground cisterns with a total capacity of 90,000 gallons. The water will then be filtered
and used for operation of cooling towers, toilet flushing and site irrigation. About two-thirds of the
buildings water use will be supplied by rainwater.
Other sustainable design strategies include recycled content, natural ventilation and passive cooling,
low-water landscaping, high-efficiency plumbing, sustainably harvested wood, and use of regional
materials.
Target value design played the most critical role in the overall planning and coordination of this
project, said McCarthy Project Director Craig Swenson. McCarthy was brought in early to perform
preconstruction with the goal of significantly lowering the initial estimated construction costs while
still allowing the client to achieve LEED Platinum status. This target value design approach enabled
us to maintain the integrity of the highly sustainable design while also making the budget work for
the client.
Swenson said that target value design also allowed the project team to give adequate time and
thought to such items as wood procurement, which was done a year in advance.
Advanced technology additionally played a key role. The project team utilized Building Information
Modeling, Navis Works, and Bluebeam for the electronic plan room, which McCarthy personnel were
tasked to manage as one of many ways of keeping project costs in check.
KPFF Consulting Engineers served as the structural and civil engineer; Integral Group was the
mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineer; Jacobs Consultancy was the laboratory planner;
Andropogon Associates and David Reed were the landscape architects; SC Engineers designed the
building controls; David Nelson & Associates was the lighting design consultant; and Sustainable
SoCal served as the construction manager.
About J. Craig Venter Institute
The J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) is a not-for-profit research institute dedicated to the

advancement of the science of genomics; the understanding of its implications for society; and
communication of those results to the scientific community, the public, and policymakers. Founded
by J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., the JCVI is home to approximately 250 scientists and staff with expertise in
human and evolutionary biology, genetics, bioinformatics/informatics, information technology, highthroughput DNA sequencing, genomic and environmental policy research, and public education in
science and science policy.
About McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
For 150 years, McCarthy has been building communities across America, both by constructing
essential projects communities rely on, as well as by helping those who need assistance. The
company is committed to the construction of high performance green buildings; progressive job site
technology; and safer, faster and more cost-effective execution. In addition to San Diego, McCarthy
has offices in Newport Beach, Sacramento and San Francisco, Calif.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; St. Louis;
Dallas; Houston; Atlanta; Albuquerque; Kansas City; and Collinsville, Ill. McCarthy is 100 percent
employee owned. More information about the companys history is available online at
www.mccarthy150.com or by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.
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