UC Santa Cruz Center for Adaptive Optics

Occupying a constrained infill site among existing science buildings on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus, the Center harnesses the creative energies of researchers in astronomy and vision science. Offices, organized in a compact U-shape around important common areas, encourage interaction and collaboration. A double-height atrium offers an environment for casual interaction and larger group functions. On the upper floor, a multipurpose conference room and kitchen border a shared lounge. Two months after the building’s dedication, the Center’s Managing Director Sandy Faber said, “People have collaborated more in their first month in this building than they did in the five years we were in our other space.”