Design Commission to Consider Final Design Review on New Caltech Laboratory

The proposed construction of a three-story 80,000 square-foot laboratory building at Caltech will come up for final design review by the Pasadena Design Commission on Tuesday.

The building, which is expected to house the Resnick Sustainability Center, is proposed to be placed in the same location as the existing Mead Laboratory building, a single-story structure that sits on the east side of Wilson Avenue between Del Mar Avenue and California Boulevard.

On March 23, the commission approved the application for Concept Design Review for the proposed construction.

The commission also approved the removal of five protected trees on the site.

Earlier, the applicant was asked by the commission to comply with the development standards in the Caltech Master Plan.

The applicant was also asked to modify the proposed new tree species replacement to comply with the city’s required tree replacement species matrix.

Aside from the demolition of the Mead Laboratory building, the proposed project involves the removal of 37 trees, five of which are protected specimen trees and one of which is a protected native tree.

The project also involves reconfiguring existing open spaces to the south, west, and north of the proposed new building, including the creation of outdoor classroom space and a new amphitheater and shade structure.

No new parking construction is proposed as part of the project.

A final design review approval is required prior to filing for a building or a site development permit.

Final review design considerations include a public hearing where interested persons may testify in support or opposition to the proposed project.