The Flad-designed life science research campus, Torrey Heights by Breakthrough Properties, has earned an AIA San Diego Honor Award, the highest recognition of the awards program. The AIA San Diego Design Awards recognize exemplary projects that demonstrate design skill of formal, functional, and technical requirements, including ecological and environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and a strong sense of place.
Offering exceptional views of the Pacific Ocean and its surrounding natural landscape, the campus establishes an inviting work environment to attract and retain top-tier researchers. It is composed of three thoughtfully designed, state-of-the-art scientific workplaces and an amenity building totaling 520,000 square feet for world class biotechnology firms in San Diego.
Torrey Height's coffered façade echoes the site's layered geologic formations as steeply graded window panels establish its dynamic, tessellated signature envelope.
Surrounded by daylight-infused research laboratories, offices, and amenity spaces, a publicly accessible landscape plaza unites the campus and provides connection to the outdoors. Integrating nature and technology to create an inspiring workplace, the design of the campus ensures the building remains in constant dialogue with its surroundings, offering a dynamic visual experience.
"This is a robust pure architecture project, interesting, thoughtful, beautifully done," according to the jury's assessment.
Breakthrough Properties 
Torrey Heights Development
June 23, 2025