The Architect's Newspaper selected the Torrey Heights life science campus as the Best in Design Awards Editors' Pick for Architectural Lighting. Flad collaborated with developer Breakthrough Properties to design the 10-acre campus, which features three thoughtfully designed, state-of-the-art laboratory and office buildings along with an amenity building, totaling 520,000 square feet of leasable space for biotechnology firms in San Diego.
Adjacent to a natural arroyo, the design team took inspiration from the area's geologic forms. With a façade composed of highly articulated, unitized glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels, the envelope emphasizes depth and texture. Appearing to be assembled from custom-designed panels, the exterior represents the careful choreography of four standardized designs to create its signature look.
The neutral-colored GFRC panels serve as a backdrop to the environment, enabling the façade to change color and texture with the sunlight at different times of the day and year. As day turns to night, strategically placed design lighting accentuates depth and articulation while illuminating the main public area.
Breakthrough Properties 
Torrey Heights Development
December 22, 2025