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

  • Minnesota District Starts Construction on Early Childhood Learning Center

    Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools in Sauk Rapids, Minn., recently announced that construction has begun on a new early childhood learning center and a new outdoor activities complex, according to a news release.

  • Myrtle Grove Elementary

    Phased Construction Keeps Students on Campus During Rebuild

    When Escambia County School District needed to replace most of Myrtle Grove Elementary School in Pensacola, Fla., it had three distinct challenges: honor the school's legacy in the community, bring state-of-the-art learning environments to the county, and be seamlessly built on the same site as the active school campus.

  • University of Kentucky Reopens Scovell Hall

    The University of Kentucky recently reopened Scovell Hall, part of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE), following comprehensive renovations to the 120-year-old facility in Lexington, Ky., according to a news release.

  • Health & Science Building

    Health & Science Building

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The College of Western Idaho's Health & Science Building has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.