Skip to main content

project photo collage

Renovation and Renewal Services

The Facilities Management Project Management group manages deferred maintenance projects and construction projects, including building renovations, rehabs and space re-purposing. Capital Program Management manages major projects, including all Health System projects as well as new construction and major renovations.

Project Status

UC San Diego’s MyConstructionProjects dashboard is a user-friendly tool that provides the most current information about your major and minor capital improvement projects. Anyone who has Single Sign-On access can use this tool.

Go to MyConstructionProjects

Renovation and Architectural Services

We offer a full range of construction services for renovation and alteration to ensure that campus buildings are safe, accessible, efficient to maintain and contribute aesthetically to the campus.

To guide you through the process, Facilities Management services include:

  • Project planning and feasibility
  • In-house Architectural Design, Detailing and Construction Documentation
  • Design review, including all code and CEQA compliance
  • ADA and California Accessibility compliance evaluation, including landscape
  • Contract management, including competitive bid process
  • Construction management, architectural observation and inspection
  • Construction project closeout and warranty management

Types of Projects Managed

Renovations

  • Wet/Dry Labs
  • Instructional Space (classrooms, lecture halls, etc.)
  • Restrooms
  • Administrative Office Areas
  • Retail Locations

Deferred Maintenance

  • HVAC & Plumbing System Replacements
  • Electrical System Replacements
  • Exterior Building Envelope Restoration
  • Elevator Modernizations
  • Building Systems and Controls
  • Roadway Repairs
  • Roof Replacements

Energy Reduction

  • HVAC System Conversions
  • LED Lighting Retrofit
  • Battery Storage

Other

  • Fire Alarm & Sprinkler System Installations/Upgrades
  • Exterior Hardscape & Retaining Structures
  • Parking & Traffic Improvements

Note: Every construction, renovation, alteration, maintenance or utility change at UC San Diego — no matter how small — must comply with state and local building codes, University of California and campus policies, handicap access guidelines and safety regulations, along with environmental mitigation measures required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Project Manager Responsibilities

A project manager is assigned to each renovation or alteration project. The project manager oversees the detailed coordination of your job and serves as your primary contact. Project managers resolve conflicting concerns of groups affected by campus construction and maintenance work, including customers, contractors, maintenance and parking staff, code and life safety authorities, people with disabilities, Environment, Health & Safety and Information Technology Services.

Project managers are responsible for:

  • Keeping customers informed of progress throughout the project lifecycle
  • Scoping and planning
  • Managing qualified design professionals (architects and engineers)
  • Obtaining project approvals from the university (Design Development Services, Campus/Community Planning Committee, Design Review Board, Open Space Committee, EH&S, etc.) and public agencies (CEQA, California Coastal Commission, City of San Diego, San Diego County, etc.)
  • Selecting and supervising the appropriate construction bidding process
  • Managing contractors
  • Overseeing project inspections
  • Providing follow-up service after occupancy as needed

In-House Architect Responsibilities

When the In-House Architect is used, most often they will serve as the designer and project manager throughout the design process. The architect’s primary goal is to develop a detailed project program and design based on the customer’s goals and needs. The architect is responsible for:

  • Keeping customers informed of progress throughout the design process
  • Scoping, planning and programming
  • Developing designs for physical spaces to function per programming needs
  • Selecting materials, finishes and aesthetic elements for good architectural expression
  • Managing outside design professionals (engineers, noise and vibration specialists, etc.)
  • Obtaining design approvals from various university departments and committees
  • Supporting the project as the lead designer during construction
  • Providing follow-up service after occupancy, as needed

Hourly Recharge Rates

Construction Process

Minor Capital Project Lifecycle

Project Concept

Faculty/Staff member presents a construction or renovation project idea to their Vice Chancellor area representative for approval to proceed with the project request.

Project Request

Client submits a project request using the Facilities Management customer portal. If you need assistance submitting a request, see How to Request Facilities Management Services.

Project Approval

Design

  • Client participates in further development of the design to ensure functional and space needs are achieved.
  • Facilities Management
    • Schematic Design:
      • Establishes functional scope and space plans
      • Refines project target budget and schedule
    • Design Development:
      • Refines design concept in terms of architectural, electrical, mechanical and structural systems
      • Determines total project target budget and schedule
      • Processes Minor Capital Improvement Budget and schedule
    • Construction Documentation: Produces working drawings, specifications and bidding documents

Agency/Bidding

  • Client: Reviews design documents and material/ equipment selections, to the best of their abilities, for conformance with the desired project scope and communicated progress to Vice Chancellor area representative.
  • Facilities Management
    • Ensures design documents are reviewed and permitted by applicable agencies
    • Prequalifies bidders
    • Conducts bidding
    • Awards contract to successful bidder

Construction

  • Client
    • Attends scheduled Owner/Architect/Contractor meetings (OAC)
    • Communicates progress of scope, schedule and budget to designated Vice Chancellor area representative
    • Helps to coordinate furnishings and move-in process
  • Facilities Management
    • Notifies contractor to begin work
    • Monitors the project until construction is completed
    • Ensures inspections are performed during the course of construction
    • Issues Certificate of Substantial Completion and Certificate of Occupancy

Occupancy

  • Client directs move-in of equipment, operations and staff.
  • Facilities Management
    • Continues to work with the contractor to resolve punchlist and warranty items
    • Conducts post-occupancy commissioning — removal of furniture, fixtures and equipment, cleaning and re-keying

If you have questions about the minor capital project process, contact Harley Crace, Assistant Director of Project Management, (858) 534-0309.

Project Management Team

See the Org Chart

Kirstin Berquist

Kirstin Berquist, Associate Architect
(619) 820-1538

Kirstin was born and raised in San Diego. She graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and received her master’s degree in Architecture from NewSchool of Architecture & Design. Kirstin worked for two local San Diego architecture firms for several years before working as an in-house architect at a local non-profit. She has experience in a broad range of market sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, corporate office and life science. She joined Facilities Management in 2023.

Aaron Cooley

Aaron Cooley, P.E. Project Manager/Inspector (Consultant)
(619) 550-7136

Aaron is a proud San Diego State graduate  who earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering and an M.S. in Structural Engineering. He has worked as a construction inspector since the late 1990’s, managing inspection companies in San Diego and Hawaii. He began managing projects for UC San Diego in 2017.

Harley Crace

Harley Crace, Assistant Director
(858) 534-0309

Harley grew up in Indiana and attended Purdue University where he majored in Construction Management. He started at UC San Diego in 2011 as a Project Manager and became the Assistant Director in 2014. Prior to his time at the university, he worked as a Project Manager for a large General Contractor.

Doug Darois

Doug Darois, Project Manager Supervisor for Tenant Improvements
(858)354-6505

Doug joined the military as a teenager and served as a Navy Diver in San Diego. After leaving the Navy, he decided to pursue a career as an electrician, steadily increasing his responsibilities to lead electrician, estimator, Project Manager and eventually the San Diego Regional Manager for a large electrical contractor.  In 2016, Doug joined Facilities Management as a Project Manager and was promoted to Supervisor in 2017.

Sam Farmer

Sam Farmer, Project Manager
(858) 265-5474

Sam hails from the Garden State, New Jersey. He was an undergrad at the University of Vermont and obtained a Masters of Architecture from the NewSchool of Architecture & Design in San Diego. Before joining UC San Diego, Sam owned a LEED consulting firm where he consulted on UC San Diego projects for more than eight years. 

Lisa Goodman

Lisa Goodman, Project Administrator
(858) 246-2115

Lisa hails from Southern California and attended Cal Poly Pomona where she earned a B.S. in Urban and Regional Planning. Prior to her time at the university, she held various construction-related positions and worked for two San Diego County cities. She started at UC San Diego in April 2016 as a TES employee, supporting Capital Program Management’s inspectors on the Jacobs Medical Center project. In 2017, she accepted a permanent position with Capital Planning and eventually made her way to Facilities Management in late 2020.

Carrie Haubenestel

Carrie Haubenestel, Project Administrator
(858) 534-6924

Carrie was born and raised near Tampa Bay and attended the University of South Florida where she majored in Communications. After college, she worked as an educator and helped with the family Tool and Dye business until trading tropical Florida for San Diego’s Mediterranean climate. Carrie’s career at UC San Diego began in the Contract’s group at Capital Program Management and in 2019, she transitioned into an administrative role with Facilities Management Project Management.

Jim Hennelly

Jim Hennelly, Project Manager Supervisor for Deferred Maintenance
(858) 322-2126

Jim grew up outside Boston, Massachusetts (Go Pats!) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Building Construction Technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology. After graduating, he left the snow and Boston behind to pursue a Project Management career in Southern California. Over the years, Jim has worked for General Contractors and owned a public works construction company for nearly a decade.

Craig Horwat

Craig Horwat, Principal Architect
(858) 255-9160

Craig is born in the United States but grew up in a Canadian Air Force Officer’s family, moving around many parts of Canada and the U.S. before graduating from Queen’s University (Kingston, Ontario) with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. After working as a Mechanical Engineer in the oil, military and aircraft industries, he decided to return to school to earn a Master’s Degree in Architecture from University of Utah. Over the past 20+ years, he’s worked for some of the best architecture firms in San Diego and has extensive experience with higher education lab renovations.

Joan Kingery

Joan Kingery, Contracts Administer
(858) 534-7744

Joan moved to San Diego from Wisconsin in 1985 in search of warmer weather; she found it and stayed! In 1999, she began working at UC San Diego in the Facilities Management Customer Relations unit and took her current position with Project Management in 2006.

Eric McMann

Eric McMann, Construction Inspector (Consultant)
(760) 594-7323

Eric is originally from Lancing, Michigan but moved to Poway as a young boy. He has worked as a construction inspector since 2002 and began inspecting for Facilities Management in 2016.

Will Pavlick

Will Pavlick, Project Manager
(858) 265-4961

Will is San Diego born and raised. He began working on campus in 2004 for a specialty contractor where he worked until joining UC San Diego as a Project Manager in 2018.

Julieta Prieto

Julieta Prieto, Project Manager
(858) 245-2827

Julieta has been in the construction industry since 2003, working mostly for electrical contractors on and off the UC San Diego campus. In 2016, she joined the Project Management team as a Project Administrator and was promoted to Project Manager in 2020. 

Joshua Reece

Joshua Reece, P.E. Project Manager (Consultant)
(619) 892-3735

Joshua was born in Ohio and raised in Los Angeles. After high school, he joined the Navy and spent 9 years in the submarine force. After completing his service, he went on to earn a B.S. in Structural Engineering from UC San Diego and M.S. in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University. He has design experience ranging from hospitals to marine structures and plenty of project management experience to boot including several major research projects for the Navy. He began managing projects for UC San Diego in 2021.

Didi Sheth

Didi ShethProject Manager
(619) 510-5207

Didi was born and raised in Rock Springs, Wyoming and is a recent San Diego transplant. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Master's in Architecture and has been working in the field of building design and construction since then. She has worked for reputable architecture firms in Minnesota, California and Washington, a civil and structural engineering firm in Wyoming, and most recently, in project management for a locally based, national housing developer and construction company.  She joined Facilities Management in 2022.

Hiroko Wilson

Hiroko Wilson, Contracts Administrator
(858) 822-4470

Hiroko joined UC San Diego in 2018. Before that, she owned and operated a seismic/structural construction company with her husband who also works for UC San Diego as a construction inspector at Capital Program Management.

Peter Zheng

Peter Zheng, Project Manager
(858) 837-4405

Peter grew up in San Diego and earned a B.S. in Construction Engineering at San Diego State. He has worked for a general contractor both in San Diego and Los Angeles before starting at UC San Diego in 2017.

Featured Projects