Orange Coast College Breaks Ground on New Chemistry Building

Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif., recently announced that it has broken ground on a new, $32.5-million Chemistry Building, according to a news release. The space will stand two stories and measure in at 43,800 square feet to include nine laboratories, lecture halls, meeting spaces, and faculty offices. The college is partnering with building company C.W. Driver and architecture firm tBP Architecture.

The project will involve the demolition of the vacant Literature & Languages Building, for which a replacement complex opened up in spring 2021. C.W. Driver was also the builder for the new Literature & Languages / Social & Behavior Sciences Complex, as well as other recent additions to the campus including the Kinesiology and Athletics Complex and the Student Union Complex.

The Chemistry Building will feature amenities like upgraded technology and infrastructure, exterior circulation and HVAC systems, outdoor study spaces, a social deck, and main lobby, the news release reports. It will increase available laboratory space by 60%, including accommodating larger classes and providing more individual workstations.

“Seeing these new buildings take shape on campus, and knowing that we have been a big part in their creation, brings us great satisfaction,” said C.W. Driver Companies Project Executive David Amundson. “We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the District and look forward to working on this newest addition.”

The project has an estimated completion date of December 2024, according to the news release.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Arizona District Breaks Ground on Community Training, Learning Center

    The Tolleson Union High School District (TUHSD) in Tolleson, Ariz., recently broke ground on a new Training & Learning Center (TLC) for both district professionals and the community at large, according to a news release. The 90,000-square-foot facility has an estimated completion date of spring 2027.

  • New Arizona Fine Arts School Reaches Construction Milestone

    Construction of the new Hilltop School for the Arts and Theater in Litchfield Park, Ariz., recently hit a significant milestone, according to a news release. The Agua Fria High School District held a beam-signing ceremony to celebrate the building’s topping out, or the placement of its last structural beam.

  • Photo credit: Elkus Manfredi Architects

    University of Virginia Selects Design-Build Team for New Residential Complex

    The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., recently announced that it has selected a design-build team for a new upper-class residential development on campus, according to a news release. Capstone Development Partners—in partnership with Elkus Manfredi Architects and the Hoar Construction/Hourigan construction team—will move forward with the three-building, 310,000-square-foot housing facility.

  • California K–12 District Finishes Renovations on Multi-Sport Stadium

    The Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) in Alameda, Calif., recently announced the completion of a renovation project on the Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School stadium, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and Bothman Construction on the facility, and funding came from Bond Measure B.