The two new buildings make up part of the developing Applied Sciences Complex quad, which will consolidate the school’s agriculture, construction science, natural resources, HVAC and horticulture departments currently spread throughout campus.

The new Applied Sciences Building is replacing an existing academic building. It will include four classrooms, a computer aided design (CAD) lab, an HVAC lab, outdoor HVAC and construction technology labs, faculty offices and an outdoor courtyard. The design of the single-story, U-shaped building reflects the rest of the campus’s desert-modern architecture in scale, massing and color.

The building minimizes environmental impact and reliance on public utilities in several ways. The courtyard, for instance, promotes natural ventilation, maximizes daylighting and minimizes energy consumption throughout the building. The building orientation also positions primary fenestrations on the north and south façades to reduce solar gain. Durable exterior materials and finishes withstand the desert sun and high temperatures while interior materials are low maintenance.

“The Applied Sciences Complex promotes hands-on learning and career training through a series of indoor and outdoor learning environments,” said James Matson, AIA, vice president and principal with HGA in Los Angeles, in a statement. “The outdoor horticulture area, for instance, is an active learning lab where horticulture students grow, maintain and study different varieties of agricultural plants. Likewise, the HVAC labs offer students real-world training and technical skills development in mechanical-systems repair and maintenance, preparing them to go directly from the classroom to jobs in the community.”

The renovation of the single-story, concrete-frame Agricultural Sciences Building includes mechanical, electrical and fire/life-safety systems upgrades; interior remodeling of a lab, classrooms, offices, storage room and entry hall; and a new greenhouse and lath house adjacent to the building.

“We are excited about the modernization of classrooms and laboratories,” said John Jaramillo, dean of the School of Applied Sciences and Business at College of the Desert. “Members of our faculty worked closely with HGA in the creation of these new, state-of-the-art labs, which will provide our students with the best possible learning environment.”

The project is being designed to achieve LEED Silver certification and is scheduled for completion in fall 2014. This is the latest project that HGA designed for the College of the Desert. Last summer, the architecture firm completed the design for Phase I of the college’s West Valley Campus.

The post College of the Desert’s Applied Sciences Complex Underway appeared first on School Construction News.

The project sets new standards for sustainable design and bringing high-performance building technologies into the college’s curriculum. The construction of the project is expected to begin this July.

“The College of the Desert’s vision for a self-sustaining campus is to produce more energy than it consumes,” said James Matson, AIA, vice president and director of HGA’s Los Angeles office, in a statement. “The plan emphasizes energy production along with substantial conservation and energy efficiency, waste recovery and biomimicry in partnership with green industries and education initiatives. The campus will consider the site’s unique ecology and natural resources to create a national model for sustainable research and teaching that supports the local economy and educational needs in Coachella Valley.”

The project includes 50,000 square feet of academic space and is slated for completion in January 2015. The campus will feature wind turbines, solar panels and a culinary arts center, among other highlights.

“The overall design vision for this project is focused on making it a national model for innovative sustainable strategies,” said Satoshi Teshima, AIA, LEED AP, project designer, in a statement. “The result will be an iconic campus that not only serves as a landmark and gateway to Palm Springs, but reflects the city’s history of mid-century modern architecture.”

Along with HGA working on the design, Tempe, Ariz.-based Sundt Construction is serving as the construction manager on the project. Both companies have a strong commitment to sustainable building, which can be seen directly in the design plans for the College of the Desert.

“This project has forward-thinking goals that go beyond net-zero energy to embrace a zero-plus plan that creates renewable clean energy rather than simply using less energy,” said Patrick Thibaudeau, LEED AP, vice president of sustainable design at HGA, in a statement. “The zero-plus plan targets five integrated sustainable goals — zero-plus energy, carbon, water, waste and materials. The plan emphasizes on-site electricity production through photovoltaic solar panels and establishes consumption targets to be less than or equal to available resources.”

The College of the Desert’s new West Valley Campus is not the only project at the college taking place. HGA is also working with the college’s Applied Sciences Building, which includes new construction and renovation of an existing building on the Palm Desert campus and is targeted to achieve LEED Silver certification.

The post College Commits to Sustainability in Palm Springs appeared first on School Construction News.