UCSD Pepper Canyon

Pepper Canyon Neighborhood, UC San Diego

San Diego, CA

Planning transformation.

Connecting the community.

Transit-oriented development.

UC San Diego is transforming into a primarily residential campus. HED and Walker/Macy collaborated with campus on a Neighborhood Planning Study for this unique 63-acre site. The study integrated existing structures; 20 active capital projects; with concepts for 3,400 new student beds in two villages.

We focused on connections, transit-oriented development, and the experience of multi-modal transit. The new light rail creates a new entry identity for the campus – both as approached from the new station, but also first-view of the campus from the sweeping overhead track. Pepper Canyon Neighborhood is planned as a transit-oriented district, focused on pedestrians, retail options, and public gathering spaces.

Pepper Canyon Neighborhood’s 63 acres is bounded by roads and freeways and is punctuated with numerous existing and proposed capital improvements. Yet, the dominant feature is Pepper Canyon itself. The Planning Study acknowledges this strong natural feature; its topography; and its value for recreation, proximity to nature, and storm water treatment.

Rupertus Walk will become the longest, most used east-west walk on campus as it extends to the new Pepper Canyon light rail station and further into Pepper Canyon East. This will be an active TOD (transit-oriented district). Ground floor retail in the Pepper Canyon West Housing complex will serve students, faculty and visitors entering campus via this new portal.

In addition to the Rupertus Walk extension in Pepper Canyon, UC San Diego will also extend Rupertus to the west, past Library Walk to Ridge Walk, further enhancing campus connectivity. Numerous campus landmarks currently exist and are being planned along this connector.

Pepper Canyon previously divided both sides of the canyon. The Planning Study extends Rupertus walk across the canyon and embraces the natural features of the canyon as an asset. Bringing the canyon into the housing complex and infusing the canyon and its landscaping into the housing villages creates a strong connection to nature, known to reduce stress. The new trolley line is also a vista point for riders, affording a strong first impression of UC San Diego for hundreds of riders daily.

Results

Pepper Canyon's Neighborhood Planning Study infuses student housing into the canyon and draws natural canyon features into the courtyards.

UCSD’s network of pedestrian and bike pathways form a unique opportunity to bring students and visitors in close contact with nature in their daily experience on campus.

The Rupertus Walk extension through Pepper Canyon West will feature a Stuart Collection art installation, ‘Convergence’ by Ann Hamilton.

Ground floor spaces are devoted to transit-oriented retail for joint use by student residents and campus visitors.

Study diagrams focused on connecting Pepper Canyon to campus features including the academic core, library walk and the Triton Pavilion now in development. Interstitial spaces between buildings are optimized to provide access to nature and connectivity across the expansive campus.

View more higher education stories

Connecting the community.

Pepper Canyon Neighborhood, UC San Diego

San Diego, CA

View more higher education stories

Planning transformation.

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