The Richard J. Heckmann International Center
Year 2006 | UCR Coachella Valley Campus
Location: Palm Desert, California
Partnership: LHA Architects
The design of the Richard J. Heckmann International Center for Entrepreneurial Management, part of the University of Riverside Coachella Valley Campus, is conceived as an "intellectual oasis," celebrating the concept of entrepreneurship that must recognize and develop business challenges, transforming them into opportunities.
The Heckmann Center houses 66,000 square feet of academic activities, a Lecture/Recital Auditorium, and a Meeting/Flexibility Center with a 180-seat cafeteria (plus outdoor seating).
The architecture of the complex articulates the relationship between the natural elements of the Coachella Valley, from the positioning of each functional component to the selection of design strategies.
The building’s orientation, the presence of shaded semi-covered areas, the arrangement of windows, and how they have been protected from the sun, have all enabled the creation of energy-efficient spaces that allow the enjoyment of the pristine natural light of the desert.
The desert environment of the Coachella Valley provides the opportunity to incorporate the "climatic challenges" present in the harsh elements of its natural surroundings: the textured surface of the earth, the penetrating impact of the sun, the precious value of water, and the demanding movement of the wind, into architectural and technological proposals that inspire educational activity.
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