Ten UCSF campus spaces will each receive a $20,000 facelift as part of this year’s First Impressions Contest sponsored by Facilities Services.
Since inception, the First Impressions Contest has transformed 45 campus eyesores into inviting spaces that enrich the working environment at UCSF. The contest provides an opportunity for Facilities to partner with the UCSF community of students, staff, learners, and faculty to identify what areas of the campus they would like to see upgraded.
First Impressions is the brainchild of Associate Vice Chancellor of Campus Life Services, Jon Giacomi. In 2017, as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Facilities Services, he launched the contest.
“It was what I call a ‘shower idea’. One day I was just thinking in the morning and thought it would be nice to engage the entire campus in thinking about what facilities areas were important to invest in,” he said.
That first contest attracted 48 entries. Projects included improving the entrance to the Parnassus campus from the MUNI N-Judah stop and adding new furniture to the Millberry Union Food Court.
It also showed the UCSF community that Facilities was serious about learning their perspectives about sprucing up campus. “I would also like to think it made people more comfortable in writing directly to me and my team with their concerns,” Giacomi said. “It helped put Facilities Services on the map. It was also very rewarding for us to win an ‘Innovative and Effective Practices Award’ from our national facilities leadership organization.”
This year’s contest drew 56 campus entries and 10 were selected to receive $20,000 to improve the space. A panel of stakeholders across UCSF met in late July to review the submissions and select the winning entries. “I want to thank everyone who participated in that effort,” Giacomi said.
Giacomi said the interest the panel saw in submissions shows that people are excited to make UCSF a beautiful place to learn and work. “It’s great to see students, staff and faculty back on campus and we’re delighted to transform ten common areas into great spaces for people to gather,” he said.
The spaces chosen in this year’s contest include:
Upgrading the Roof Top Terrace at 654 Minnesota Street
The terrace is used by the UC Police Department and office workers in the building. Cristina Morrison, assistant director of operations for Real Estate, said the rooftop deck at 654 Minnesota Street provides opportunity for outdoor events in the summer. “It can get quite sunny,” she said. “Having umbrella’s that can be moved and adjusted would be fantastic.” Additionally, since the UCPD works in the building and is a 24/7 operation, having outside lighting would help staff enjoy the space in the evening hours, or during the Fall and Winter when days are shorter. “A combination of comfy lounge seating with removable and weather-durable cushions that can be stored during inclement weather along with picnic tables made of appropriate materials would allow folks to have different seating options and provide an excellent outdoor space.”
Rebranding the Sixth Floor Dentistry North/West Wing
Leslie Martinez, a marketing specialist in the Dean’s Office in the School of Dentistry, submitted the project to upgrade the sixth-floor hallway in the Medical Sciences Building. Martinez said the high-traffic area is far from inviting and falls short of the expectations of students, faculty and staff who walk it daily. She said the opportunities to improve the aesthetics of the hallway are endless. “From updating the paint and lighting to incorporating a captivating visual storyline, our goal is to create a truly spectacular space that will make a lasting impression on all who use it.”
The Department of Urology Resident and Fellow Lounge
The space, nominated by Katherine Jung, director of educational programs for the Department of Urology, currently serves as a lounge area for trainees. However, due to its limited size, it only accommodates two to three people, and is used more of a storage room rather than a place for trainees to relax and unwind. Her vision encompasses 'creating a clean, inviting space that maximizes the square footage,' she said. This would be a functional layout, repainting walls, adding artwork, replacing carpet with tile flooring, upgrading workstations, and optimizing storage space. “It would be wonderful to refresh the space so that it’s inviting for more residents and fellows to make use of and collaborate.”
The Millberry Union B1 Level Hallway Connecting East and West
Assistant Director of Fitness & Recreation, Greg Whisman, nominated the space, which he describes as worn out. What was initially planned as a service hallway has become a heavily used corridor for people parking in the Millberry Union Garage. “Fitness Center members and university customers coming up from the garage, walk down the hallway as they try to find their way to Parnassus,” Whisman said. “The flooring, paint, lighting, and overall atmosphere need an upgrade to make a better first impression. Making the area brighter with better signage and some wall clings to add some fun and help with navigation will make it a better space.”
Improving the Pedestrian Bridge Between the Millberry Union and ACC Buildings
Andy Panado, collections support analyst with the UCSF Kalmanovitz Library, wants to see an awning installed over the bridge to provide cover for both the UCSF community and public from the sun and rain. “During the rainy season, I have observed patrons waiting by the elevators for the signal light to turn green, then running across the bridge before the light changes red.” Panado would also like to see the DNA molecule design on the bridge spruced up and planters added to both sides of the bridge.
Reconfiguring the Biomagnetic Imaging Laboratory
Carly Demopoulos, assistant adjunct professor in Radiology, said the space in the Biomagnetic Imaging Laboratory needs to be reconfigured as the growing patient and research scan volume has resulted in increased demand for staff. “It’s also in desperate need of reorganization of the interior design as well as updating the décor to make it a more patient and visitor friendly area,” she said. “Our vision is a patient- and visitor-friendly space that is welcoming, calming, and instills confidence in our service.”
Upgrading the Hallways in Front of the Health Sciences West Lecture Halls
Igor Mitrovic, vice dean and professor of Physiology, said the space has always been underutilized and uninviting but this became particularly striking in the context of the spaces in the hallway of the new Clinical Sciences Building. “There are no comfortable, inviting, sitting places, though there is plenty of room,” he said. “The lighting is weak, and the space is unpleasant and drab. But it could be so much more with some proper design touches. I would love to see refinishing of the walls, creating some pleasant sitting spaces with comfortable furniture as well as electrical outlets near the sitting places.”
Creating an Inviting Patio at 2001 The Embarcadero
Sammi Mei, an administrative assistant in the Temporary Employment Program, said the patio at 2001 The Embarcadero is the one common space in the building where tenants and visitors can interact. “We have calculated that more than 100 people pass through the area daily,” Mei said. “Some take advantage of the space for breaks, to mingle with coworkers, eat lunch, or read a book.” Mei would like to see the installation of planters in the existing fountain to help beautify the space. “Adding flower, plants and other furniture in the patio area will help beautify the space.”
Refurbishing NS-580C at the Sandler Neurosciences Institute
Jonathan Hero, animal care supervisor in the Laboratory Animal Resource Center, said a fresh coat of paint, new flooring, upgraded appliances and comfortable furniture would enhance the atmosphere at NS-580C in the Sandler Neurosciences Institute. “During busy times, we have eight to 10 people in the break room,” he said. “Generally, our team takes their lunch periods at different times, so they don’t crowd the room, since space is limited with the work desks and computers.” Hero said moving the work computers would help free up space which would facilitate larger gatherings such as weekly team meetings, birthday celebrations, or staff appreciation events. “It can get really crowded during large events and we are literally hugging the walls.”
Transforming the Animal Care and Operations Break Room
Monica Arevalo, a facility manager at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, wants to see new tables and seating, fresh paint, cubbies or storage areas, and some wall art to help liven up the Animal Care and Operation Break Room at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases. The galley shaped room currently features recycled work bench tables and fold out chairs that face the wall. The room also serves as a delivery area for packages. “There is little to no storage areas and lunch bags and personal cups are left on the tabletops,” Arevalo said. “If we could get new tables and seating so people can interact face-to-face, and a food preparation area, that would be great.” Arevalo said it would be nice to have some new paint to liven up the room along with cubbies or storage areas for personal lunch items.
