The University of California, Davis, has selected the Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership (ZGF) of Portland as architect for the new Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science. Design partner Robert Frasca will collaborate with Laurie Olin of the Olin Partnership on the landscape design for the new multi-building complex, sited prominently on the UC Davis campus.

ZGF was chosen from among six finalists to design the $78 million complex. As part of ZGF's broad range of work, they have designed academic and research facilities for seven of the University of California campuses, as well as Cornell University, The Johns Hopkins University, Duke University and Northwestern University. The Olin Partnership has been involved in several wineries in the Napa Valley such as Beringer Winery and Chateau St. Jean, as well as The J. Paul Getty Center in Los Angeles, Stanford University and the American Academy in Rome.

"The selection of ZGF is a significant step forward in our effort to enhance our research, teaching and outreach in areas that are so important to the economy and health of California. We all look forward to seeing the early drawings so we can share them with our friends and supporters," said Neal Van Alfen, dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

The project includes three separately funded elements for the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology and the Department of Food Science and Technology: a 129,600-square-foot academic building with research and teaching labs, a 41,000-square-foot teaching winery, and a food processing facility, teaching labs and brewery consisting of 27,000 square feet. The project is funded in part by gifts, including $25 million from Robert Mondavi and $5 million from the Anheuser-Busch Foundation.

"We are extremely pleased to be working with UC Davis, and feel a strong affinity for the importance of the mission of the Robert Mondavi Institute. Since the subject matter of the institute's study comes from the earth, we intend to have a strong relationship between the various building components and outdoor interaction areas, where faculty and students can meet in productive ways. It makes for a unique fit between what we want to do as architects and the opportunity to enhance a program, and an institution, that already is recognized as among the top in the country," said Bob Frasca, ZGF design partner.

The institute will be designed to be the global innovator in university-based wine and food programs and will house the largest and most prestigious wine and food science academic program in the world. The educational and research components associated with the winery, brewery and food processing plant are expected to draw many national and international visitors annually; however, the institute will serve more than students and faculty. The public will be invited to participate through numerous educational programs at the winery, brewery and food processing plant.

The Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science will be located on Old Davis Road just north of Interstate 80, with groundbreaking expected in 2004.