Vanguard University Breaks Ground on Student Center

Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA, broke ground in November on a new $23 million, 35,000-square-foot Student Center, which will serve the immediate needs of the university’s current enrollment and provide additional space to accommodate future growth.

Vanguard University Student Center

The new state-of-the-art steel-framed structure will replace the existing student union and feature a 16,000-square-foot cafeteria, 3,000-square-foot fitness center, and 8,200-square-foot multipurpose events space. It also will include a student lounge with ample seating, a fireplace, and café.

The building’s roof will feature a trellised deck and fireplace, and other outdoor dining and gathering areas will be constructed around the perimeter of the building to promote student, faculty, and staff interaction.

Designed by HPI Architecture and built by C.W. Driver Companies, the building will reflect a traditional Santa Barbara style that complements the existing architecture on campus, incorporating a smooth plaster finish, limestone veneer, and clay tile roof.

Completion is anticipated for Q4 2019.

Featured

  • concentric silhouettes of a human head

    How Physical Space Shapes the Mind: Designing for Better Learning Outcomes

    Research in environmental psychology and neuroscience increasingly suggests that the way a room is designed can influence memory, focus, or even a student's sense of belonging.

  • El Paso District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    The Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso, Texas, recently announced that construction has begun on a 119,000-square-foot elementary school, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects, Carl Daniel Architects, and LDCM Solutions on the new Davenport Elementary School, which has an expected completion date of 2027.

  • University of Kentucky Receives $150M Gift Toward New Arts District

    The University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees recently received a $150-million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation, according to a university news release, to build a new arts district on the campus in Lexington, Ky. The new district will feature a new College of Fine Arts building and a multi-hundred-seat theater, among other amenities.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

Digital Edition