The Summit College of Engineering in Los Angeles, CA is a topography-driven, academic environment where learning, research, and collaboration operate as a unified system within a 183,000SF, operationally net-zero building. The south wing embeds itself in the hillside with stepped floors and terraces that shape focused classrooms, offices, and library spaces while maintaining strong visual and physical ties to the surrounding terrain. At the center, the Perch functions as the primary social and academic hub, defined by daylight, greenery, and open circulation that supports interaction across disciplines. The north wing lifts above the ground to house flexible laboratories and fabrication spaces, enabling experimentation and adaptation through movable partitions and exterior walkways. Environmental strategies, including cross-ventilation, shading, and planted terraces, moderate climate and reinforce connections to the site. The building is operationally net-zero, with integrated systems and design strategies that fully offset its energy use. Together, the wings and central hub create a cohesive mixed academic ecosystem that integrates landscape, community, and engineering exploration.

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In Collaboration with Valeria Fernandez
Advised by Professor Alejandro Branger, AIA