University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Barbara and Gerson Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB)

San Francisco, CA
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Keywords: Academic Building, Building Enclosure Consulting, Facade Engineering, Higher-ed, Life Sciences, Nine-story Building, Research, Research Laboratory
  • Size 325,000-sf
  • Completion 2028
  • Services Provided Facade Engineering, Building Enclosure Consulting
  • Market Sector Life Sciences, Higher-ed
  • Architect Snøhetta, HGA (RDH Client)
The UCSF Barbara and Gerson Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB) is a new 325,000-sf, nine-story translational research and education facility that will serve as a hub for scientific discovery, interdisciplinary collaboration, and graduate education on UCSF's Parnassus Heights campus. Designed to advance research in cancer, microbiology, diabetes, immunology, and cell biology, the building will house the UCSF School of Nursing, clinical research space, and several of UCSF's research initiatives, bringing researchers, educators, and clinicians together in a collaborative environment.

Designed by Snøhetta and HGA as part of UCSF’s Comprehensive Parnassus Heights Plan, the building is intended to strengthen connections between the campus, the surrounding neighborhood, and the adjacent Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve. The project emphasizes natural light, flexible research environments, and sustainable design strategies that support long-term adaptability.

RDH is providing Facade Review and Design Assistance and Building Enclosure Design Assistance services for the project, supporting the development of a high-performance enclosure that aligns with the project’s architectural, environmental, and long-term durability goals.

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