by eduars | Feb 13, 2015
The West Hills College Learning Resource Center was completed in 2002 for the West Hills Community College District. The project is a relocation of an existing Community College from a 20-acre land locked site to a new site of 108 acres. The area growth and demand for access to education has forced the College District to explore alternatives to the current Educational Program and delivery methods. Our firm has worked with the district for the last 5 years in developing a facility plan that is in harmony with the educational needs/delivery methods of the area as well as allowing for growth and changes. The Library is the engine that drives technology that they are currently using and technologies that have not been invented as of yet. The initial buildings include classroom, laboratory and support spaces as well as the library. New buildings will come on line at about 1 every 2 years until such time this facility is built out. Funding has come from local bond election of $11,750,000, State funding of $19,500,000 and private and public partners of $5,600,000 for a total initial buildings project cost of $36,850,000.
The level of learning achieved in the facility by students, individuals, student collaborative learning and staff development will make this facility a leader in community college technology centers. No longer will this just be a library, but a community center for dissemination of information and learning.
The Site is over a hundred acres in Central California known for its hot summers and mild winters. The site was designed to allow for phased construction. The curved access roads will be accented with each building pad raised 5 feet with garden-like atmosphere with spaces for people. No internal roads will allow vehicular traffic during occupancy hours. The perimeter of the site will be landscaped with mounds 4 to 5 feet high allowing a clear view of the buildings and partially blocking the view of vehicles and parking areas.
The floor plan reflects the usage of the spaces. Since technology is changing so fast, program flexibility is a necessity. Staffing of a facility is important in the operations cost. The least amount of staff needed to operate a facility is the goal with dwindling fiscal budgets. The control/circulation desk is designed to be dual purpose and be the hub of control, reference and information. Either side may be closed and operated independently.
by eduars | Feb 13, 2015
Area: 10,400-sf
Cost: $2,900,000
Single Story
by eduars | Feb 13, 2015
Area: 10,400-sf
Cost: $2,900,000
Single Story
The West Hills College Academic Center was completed in 2002 for the West Hills Community College District. This building complex surrounds a courtyard for a student friendly environment. The classrooms/labs have been designed for distance education and delivery methods not invented yet with program flexibility to the moving educational mission.
by eduars | Feb 13, 2015
Area: 52,000 sf
Cost: $20 million
Two Stories
Seating:
2,400
Uses:
Campus Gymnasium
Adaptive PE
Fitness / Wellness Center
Locker Rooms
Sports Events
Removable Sports Floor
Telescopic Seating
Community Events
Music / Entertainment
Concerts
by eduars | Feb 13, 2015
The West Hills College Coalinga Learning Resource Center began in 1948 as the Rodney B. Fitch Library and served the College and the community until in 2004 when it underwent an extensive renovation as well as an expansion to meet the current and future needs of the institution and the City of Coalinga. With the financial help of the California Community College Chancellors Office and local funding, the Library expanded its book stack area, study areas, computer commons and added a tutorial lab. Also included were rooms for Instructional Media Resources and Multi Media Development Labs for instructional staff. Natural lighting and large open areas were key design goals to the development of the Center while working with existing brace frames installed in the 1990’s as part of an earlier expansion project. The use of brick, plaster and storefront with horizontal light shelves maintained the original architecture. A mixture of refurbished finishes and rich colors provided a comfortable and learning environment. With the incorporation of expensive infrastructure, the West Hills College Learning Resource Center is set to lead the campus today and well into the future for its students and its community.
by eduars | Feb 13, 2015
Area: 9,400 sf
Cost: $2.5 millions
Single Story
The project consists of three activity rooms supporting 75 children and related support space. The core of the building was designed both to support this project and future growth. Core spaces include kitchen and related food storage, office space, meeting rooms and related administration functions. The project also includes interior observation space to facilitate campus instruction in Early Childhood studies. The playgrounds were expanded to allow for separate age-based play areas. Circulation of children was done with a controlled path that enters the new facility and discharges to the individual activity rooms at the site.
