Golden West College Starts Construction on Language Arts Complex

Construction on a new language arts complex recently began at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Calif. The college is partnering with Sundt Construction, Inc., on the facility.

“We are excited to continue working on the Golden West campus,” said John Messick, Sundt’s Project Director for the California District Building Group. “Building infrastructure to support remote, in-person or hybrid learning is critical to the success of today’s students.”

The new complex will measure in at 72,251 square feet and stand three stories tall, featuring classrooms and a large reading, writing and resource center. The facility will house lecture spaces for the college’s world languages, ASL, English and speech programs. Other amenities will include gathering, office and support spaces; natural daylighting fixtures; modern LED fixtures; HVAC improvements; and native landscaping.

Project architect HMC designed the complex as two wings connected by a second- and third-floor internal bridge. “Guided by the principle of ‘connection,’ we designed the building to not only connect with the campus aesthetic, but also to provide opportunities for students to connect with campus touchpoints and classmates,” said HMC Design Principal Brett Leavitt.

The HMC Architects’ website also notes that design strategies like natural daylighting and native landscaping give the complex a head start on becoming a Zero Net Energy Building.

The first step of the construction process was the demolition of the long-standing humanities building and health sciences facility. Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2021.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • UCNJ Launches $30M Modernization of Physical Education Center

    The Union College of Union County (UCNJ) in Cranford, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $30-million modernization project for its Physical Education Center (PECK), according to a news release. The college partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the project’s design, transitioning the existing 42,000-square-foot structure into a campus hub for student athletics and campus life.

  • 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.

  • Spaces4Learning Launches 2026 Education Design Showcase Awards

    Spaces4Learning has opened submissions for the 2026 Education Design Showcase! The awards program launched in 1999 with the goal of celebrating innovative, practical solutions in the planning, design, and construction of K–12 and higher-education facilities. EDS recognizes new developments that help achieve optimal learning environments, as well as the architecture firms that brought the ideas to life.

  • Abstract tech network data connections with orange, blue glowing dots, lines

    3 Trends for Higher Education to Stay Ahead of in 2026

    As universities enter the new year, the question is no longer whether digital transformation is necessary, but how quickly institutions can convert technological potential into strategic advantage.

Digital Edition