Reimagining the Balboa Campus Extension for Graduate Health Education
To establish a new home for its College of Health Sciences in San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) selected HED to lead the transformation of two existing office buildings into a state-of-the-art satellite campus. The Balboa Regional Center now provides cutting-edge classrooms, research facilities, and fitness spaces for graduate students in kinesiology, athletic training, exercise science, sport performance, sport management, physician assistant, physical therapy, and occupational therapy programs.
The project was delivered in four phases, allowing the campus to remain operational while adapting to program growth and evolving budgets. Phases one and two established the foundation for the new identity, including a reimagined campus plan and an enhanced arrival sequence with new front entrances, signage, and experiential branding. Inside, HED designed modern classrooms, study spaces, the Center for Human Performance (CHP), student lounges, and faculty offices. Exterior improvements introduced an updated lobby, a new deck for the CHP, a student lounge, and an outdoor roof deck that supports both social connection and wellness.
Phase three advanced the academic program, introducing a new dean’s suite and specialized learning environments for occupational therapy students. This phase also featured a unique collaboration with the San Diego Padres, resulting in an indoor/outdoor biomechanics lab that supports sport performance and research. Phase four completed the campus vision with a new state-of-the-art anatomy teaching lab and additional office suites, rounding out the resources available to students and faculty.
The project’s integrated design approach combined HED’s expertise in architecture, structural engineering, landscape architecture, interior design, and experiential graphics. This collaboration orchestrated the planning, systems, and aesthetics to reinforce PLNU’s identity. A revitalized landscape plan aligns with the university’s brand and values, while environmental graphics highlight PLNU’s focus on health, wellness, and student experience. By leveraging these integrated services, HED was able to deliver a holistic transformation that seamlessly blends academic, research, and community-focused spaces.
Flexibility was also central to the project’s success. Skills and simulation labs were designed to function as clinical training environments, enabling students to practice patient care in controlled scenarios and receive live performance feedback. HED also provided on-call design services to adapt to a rapidly shifting schedule,allowing the project to move forward efficiently as budgets evolved.
Recognized with the 2024 San Diego Business Journal Outstanding Architectural Design Award, the Balboa Campus extension demonstrates how thoughtful renovation can convert a corporate park into a vibrant health sciences campus—positioning PLNU as a leader in graduate healthcare education while reinforcing its mission of student well-being and academic excellence.