Along with BAE Systems' existing 207,000-sf building, the Rancho Bernardo campus now boasts a new six-story, 211,000-sf facility and an adjacent five-story, 340,000-sf parking structure that accommodates 1,100 vehicles. Designed by Turpit & Potter Architects and built by Harper Construction, the recently completed facility features classical architecture. Exterior details include two curtain-wall towers accented by aluminum banding and sunshades.

The expansion has allowed BAE Systems to remain at its existing campus at 16250 Technology Drive where it has been located for 18 years, rather than move to another site. The expansion project is the "first of its kind" to make use of the City of San Diego's decision to increase the floor-to-area ratios of industrial zoned sites from 1:1 to 2:1, says John Turpit of Turpit & Potter Architects. The ruling, which dates back to 2000 and excludes Kearny Mesa, allowed Turpit & Potter to more than double the size of the BAE Systems Campus, Turpit explains.