LEARNING BY DESIGN magazine - Saddleback College Interdisciplinary Science Building

The Site Plan illustrates the ramping system, the building orientation to the north, and proximity to pedestrian and vehicular access.
This three story plan indicates the general science classrooms at ground level and the chemistry classrooms on the third level with easy access to the roof for ventilation.
To achieve LEED Gold with the high demands on a science laboratory buidling has integrated a wide range of sustainable strategies.
The north-facing entry facade engages the exterior and interior as public space, welcoming students and visitors alike.
The transparency between interior and exterior spaces is achieved as a placemaking strategy highlighting the main extranace and intergrating indoor and outdoor space.
The north-facing events plaza serves as the lower campus quad, bordered by a California Native demonstration garden.
The literal bridging and ramping pedestrian circulation provides accessibility to every level, and offers the opportunity to pass through the building with direct access to every floor.
The slopeside of the site provides circulation space for the bridging and ramping between the upper and lower campus, winding through the California Native garden.
The south-east corner entrance welcomes pedestrians from the adjacent parking areas, providing an intimate outdoor amphitheater for gathering and study. The historic relocated campus sundial is the focal point.
The indoor atrium lobby is washed with natural tiered skylighting, and is the central gathering and circulation space.
Transparency and access to natural north light and views is achieved for each of the three floors.
The latest in scientific equipment is provided to rival university-level programs. Chemistry labs are located on the top floor for easy access to rooftop ventilation.
Chemistry labs with extensive fume hoods access ventilate directly to the roof-top equipment from the third floor. Note the shared access to perimeter natural light.
Wrap-around workrooms accommodate technicians and instructors with borrowed natural light that penetrates work areas,
Contextual materials and colors compliment a technology inspired design solution to make this building "the place to be" on campus.

Nestled against the 50 foot rise to the main quad from the lower campus, this new three-story community college science building is LEED Gold Certified. Science lab wings embrace the atrium and adjacent outdoor courtyard. Bridges span the hillside from each floor to link students navigating the path from the lower to upper campus, providing unlimited accessibility, and serving as a figurative and literal bridge between academic programs. The project is:

A beacon for sustainable design;
A magnet for connections, interactions and ideas;
A draw for students and visitors to the sciences; a new hub for campus life.

A transformative university-worthy scientific platform inhabits a resource-conserving structure that celebrates the environment. High aspirations for an award-winning program define specialized labs for physical sciences, life sciences, and chemistry on each of three floors with shared support, teaching and gathering spaces. Prep spaces wrap the perimeter, directly accessing labs while providing borrowed natural light. This building is an incubator for interdepartmental programs and "the place to be", an informal oasis and intimate retreat from the frenetic pace of campus life. The design solution minimizes operational resources and provides a healthy respect for the environment, teaching science and social responsibility.

Saddleback College Interdisciplinary Science Building

Description

Project Location:
Mission Viego, California

Architecture Firm
Perkins Eastman Dougherty
Costa Mesa, California
www.perkinseastman.com
https://www.facebook.com/PerkinsEastman/
https://twitter.com/PerkinsEastman

Photography By:
@2016 Nils Timm

Saddleback College Interdisciplinary Science Building

Category

Description