By Doug Bevier

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As mainstays of innovation and progress, universities are under growing pressure to address climate change. And with a profound understanding of the scientific imperative to act, many are prioritizing decarbonization across every facet of campus life, from operations and academics to community engagement. At the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), transforming the physical campus by replacing traditional design and construction methods with prefabrication has significantly reduced its carbon footprint. The Tidelands, a student housing project situated in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood, showcases how this shift to prefabrication, combined with a thoughtful design-build process and rigorous performance targets, has helped lower carbon emissions, create healthier spaces and set new benchmarks for sustainable campus development.

Balancing Aesthetics, Carbon Emissions and Cost

In response to San Francisco’s urgent need for high-density affordable housing, The Tidelands doubled the amount of housing available to UCSF medical students and trainees, offering 595 units across two buildings.

The need to balance aesthetics, environmental impacts and cost became a driver for thoughtful design solutions across the project, inspiring creative problem-solving rather than hindering owner priorities for a timeless building and minimized carbon footprint. The architect, engineers and UCSF came together early in the project, which allowed for the selection of healthy building materials that were also affordable, the integration of passive strategies and cross-team coordination for faster, informed decision-making.

Together, the teams determined that the Tidelands would use Clark Pacific’s Infinite Facade with glass fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC). The design team tested multiple materials for the building envelope, ultimately discovering that GFRC concrete had significantly lower impacts than other options. The Infinite Facade is a building envelope system, prefabricated offsite that is tested for ASTM and AAMA air, water and vapor penetration, and meets or exceeds Title 24 building code requirements for every climate zone in California.

Clark Pacific collaborated with UCSF to determine a window-to-wall ratio that would keep the cost within budget while also focusing on thermal comfort. The design team explored multiple scenarios and the effect each would have on energy systems, cost and performance.

Kieran Timberlake also conducted a façade sun exposure analysis to determine the impact of solar heat gain on the rooms. The design team selected billows, and horizontal and vertical sunshades were built directly into the prefabricated panels on the sun-facing elevations and flat panels on the others. This strategy, combined with the continuous insulation inherent in the Infinite Facade system, ensures the Tidelands project not only meets but surpasses Title 24 prescriptive requirements on performance. The ability to achieve the desired U-value from a single provider eliminated the need for additional subcontractors and consultants, and simplified energy analysis.

Windows were installed during the manufacturing process. The Tidelands project was completed six months ahead of schedule, and UCSF has one point of contact for the building envelope warranty.

Doug Bevier is director of preconstruction at Clark Pacific.

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Schools are expected to fulfill multifunctional roles as educational, community and recreational spaces. Academic administrators are increasingly adopting prefabrication to meet the time-sensitive demand for versatile facilities, as prefabrication supports an efficient project delivery model, accelerating the construction timeline while meeting design intent for strong and durable buildings that are the cornerstones of their communities. Two recent Denver Public Schools (DPS) projects — the DPS Responsive Arts & STEAM Academy (RASA) and Montbello High School — demonstrate how prefabricated construction can support intricate designs and timely project completion to enhance these vital community resources.Ìý

How Prefabrication Achieves Design IntentÌý

Prefabrication offers the precision and flexibility to achieve functional and aesthetic design goals, as shown in the distinctive architectural elements of DPS RASA. The versatility of prefabrication allowed the team to integrate different materials — including steel, mass timber and precast concrete — into a harmonious design that maximized durability, aesthetic impact and educational value.ÌýÌý

The K-12 school is a V-shaped, two-story facility that serves an expanding Denver neighborhood and is designed to foster creativity and critical thinking through a STEAM-focused curriculum.

In alignment with its focus on the arts and environmental consciousness, RASA needed a design that reflected its educational mission and offered a stimulating environment for students. Using prefabricated architectural wall panels with contrasting shades and patterns, the design team created a visually engaging structure that aligns with the school’s artistic focus. The panels also helped achieve the school’s resource conservation goals, with thermal efficiency built into the design, supporting both the school’s LEED aspirations and Denver Public Schools’ sustainability commitments.ÌýÌý

Similarly, the significant remodel and expansion of Montbello High School featured prefabricated exterior walls with custom finishes, thin brick accents and strategically placed spandrel glass. These elements not only modernized the building’s appearance while respecting the existing façade, but also allowed the design team to convey a sense of openness, transforming the decades-old high school into an attractive community asset.Ìý

Expedient Delivery With PrefabricationÌý

One of the primary benefits of prefabrication is the speed it brings to project delivery. By manufacturing structural components in a controlled offsite environment, prefabrication bypasses weather delays, minimizes site disruptions and keeps construction on schedule — especially critical for schools that are operating on strict academic calendars.ÌýÌý

For DPS RASA, the project team utilized prefabricated insulated wall panels to expedite assembly, allowing construction to proceed without compromising quality. The structural components arrived ready for swift installation, reducing the onsite labor required and avoiding delays from inclement weather. This method kept the project on track to meet the community’s urgent need for a new school and avoided costs associated with prolonged construction.Ìý

Montbello High School’s remodel similarly benefited from prefabrication’s speed and efficiency, particularly given the challenges of working within an active school campus. With student schedules and community routines to consider, prefabrication allowed significant structural elements to be assembled quickly and with minimal disturbance to learning and operations. The team used load-bearing insulated panels that integrated with existing structures, reducing installation time and eliminating additional finishing requirements for the interior surfaces. This approach enabled the district to deliver a renovated, modernized school on time and within budget, ensuring the facility was available to students and staff as planned.Ìý

Achieving Successful OutcomesÌýÌý

Ultimately, the success of a school construction project is measured by its ability to serve students and the community effectively. For DPS RASA, prefabrication facilitated an architectural design that functions as both an educational hub and a community resource. By blending sustainable features with advanced building systems, the facility achieved a high standard of durability and energy efficiency, reducing operational costs and long-term maintenance. With outdoor learning spaces, native landscaping and an emphasis on energy efficiency, RASA is an all-electric, LEED-certified school that enriches student experiences and instills sustainable values. Precast concrete’s contribution with integrated thermal insulation aligns with the school’s goals of indoor air quality, daylight access and thermal comfort, all of which support student wellness and concentration.Ìý

At Montbello High School, the remodel and expansion transformed a longstanding community institution into a modern learning environment that better supports student success.

Prefabricated solutions allowed for a resilient structure that withstands daily wear while meeting the school’s aesthetic and functional needs. The updated campus also incorporates sustainable building practices that help reduce energy consumption, benefiting both the school’s operating budget and the community’s environmental goals. The success of Montbello High School’s renovation was made possible through a strong collaborative approach between Denver Public Schools and its project partners, ensuring that prefabrication not only met construction goals but also contributed to the educational mission.Ìý

The DPS RASA and Montbello High School projects exemplify how prefabrication accelerates construction timelines, delivers superior design and creates meaningful outcomes for educational institutions. Through this approach, school districts can meet urgent building demands while maintaining high standards for design, efficiency and environmental responsibility. As schools continue to evolve as multifunctional spaces, prefabrication stands out as an invaluable method that prioritizes the quality, speed and impact that clients need.Ìý

Brian Miller has been an integral part of Wells since 2010, holding various positions within the company. As the director of project management, Miller oversees project delivery for the Wells Mountain States region. He recognizes the importance of communication in ensuring positive project outcomes and client experiences. With over three decades of experience in the precast industry, he has successfully managed projects valued at up to $35 million.Ìý

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