Abstract Board / Model

Inspiration for the design of the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies started with the site study to Catalina Island. There were two cave like formations surrounding a small piece of protruding land that faced the north. The area had great movement possibilities between the campus and Two Harbors as well as connection to the sea important for environmental studies and the reflection of light from the sea inside the building. The form was generated from taking the topography of the land and turning it into angled geometry that protrudes from the land just as the land it is placed on protrudes from the island. The floors overhang each other in order to take advantage of the reflection of the light from the water as well as enhancing the views and the feeling of being over the sea. The movement throughout the building allows you to experience the cliffs and cave like formations of the island as well as the sea and panoramic views such as the entire campus, Two Harbors, the harbor, and other views not accessible from the campus core.