The original building had a cold industrial stainless steel exterior building skin, no view windows, and a traditional brick interior environment.
The college desired a more “collegiate” exterior public image. The new facility has bolder forms, different materials, striking colors, and unobstructed vistas. It is located between the main road and the existing building with a masonry expression to be more warm and welcoming.
The addition consists of three forms linked by a Student Commons extending from the existing building interior quadrangle. A six-classroom multipurpose area is used for individual seminars or opened with operable partitions to create one 450-seat flexible assembly space. An adjacent 100-seat lecture room is equipped with projection systems, automated lighting systems, and complete communication systems for multimedia presentations and interactive learning.
Three flexible high-technology laboratory spaces, across the Commons, serve the vocational curriculum and local business needs. Each laboratory connects with overhead doors to allow equipment to be easily installed and removed.
Six computer classrooms and an open computer laboratory on the second floor level are equipped with a raised floor system to allow future equipment changes and training for computer technicians. No artificial lighting is needed during the day with natural light provided by north facing clerestory windows and north facing vertical view windows.
