Community College Journal - October/November 2010

Math and Science Arithmetic isn’t the only thing happening in the new Math and Science building at West L.A. College. Architecture firm HOK, Inc., designed this green building, which generates much of its power from rooftop solar panels. The orientation of the two primary buildings was set to maximize day lighting and minimize heat gain. The Math and Science building is on track to meet LEED Silver certification.

Performing and Fine Arts Center

The arts community at and around

East Los Angeles College is thrilled about the upcoming Performing and Fine Arts Center.

LACCD recruited international architecture firm Arquitectonica to design the center. Its unconventional design resembles three large pieces of stone being pushed out of the ground.

The complex consists of three multi-level buildings: the Vincent Price Art Gallery, a recital hall, and a theater.

The museum, named after the late Hollywood actor, is the project’s centerpiece. Among the 8,000 items to be displayed in the gallery will be 2,000 donated pieces from Price’s art collection.

Creative expression will be inspired here. The facility has space for painting, sculpture, printmaking, dance, and ceramics/sculpture. The building also features drawing studios, music classrooms, choir and music libraries, music computer labs, and rehearsal space. The theater building has a drama theater, an experimental black-box theater, a costume workshop, and rehearsal space.

The Performing and Fine Arts Center is LACCD’s largest project and is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification.

Design’s Impact on Students New buildings districtwide have had a positive impact on students, who linger around campus longer and have expressed enthusiasm about the improvements.

“There is a sense of pride. Now, we have so many students asking how they can be a part of the school. We didn’t have that before. It’s something that’s going to bring a lot of happiness to a lot of people,” says Muñoz of Trade-Tech.

Cutting-edge design has done more than modernize our colleges. Students and faculty share the benefits of new facilities that integrate high-tech laboratories and smart classrooms, energy-efficient equipment, and green features. Where LACCD once lacked curb appeal, today our nine colleges are bustling with some of the finest contemporary architecture and green technology. And, as Muñoz says, this brings happiness to many of the thousands of people who study and work on our campuses.

For more information on the district’s building designs, visit the LACCD Web site at www.laccdbuilds green.org.

Daniel laVista is chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District.

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