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

  • DLR Group Announces New Mid-Atlantic Higher Education Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has promoted Principal Shawn Gaither, AIA, LEED AP, to the role of higher education leader in the Mid-Atlantic, according to a news release. Gaither has served with the firm for more than 20 years, most recently as the national higher education business development leader.

  • Bradley Company Highlights Hygiene Tips for Global Handwashing Day

    In honor of Global Handwashing Day on October 15, commercial washrooms and emergency safety solutions provider Bradley Company recently released the results of its 2026 Healthy Handwashing Survey. The findings indicate simple, practical steps that facilities managers can take to encourage good hygiene on campus.

  • Montclair State University Debuts New VR Facility

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently announced the completion of a new virtual reality learning facility developed in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, according to a news release. The 2,450-square-foot lab space is inside the College of Communication and Media building and will serve students pursuing careers in digital media, virtual reality, and content creation.

  • Carnegie Mellon University Receives $3B Gift to Launch New Campus

    Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Penn., recently announced that it has received $3 billion—the largest individual gift in higher education history—from Citadel CEO and founder Ken Griffin, according to a news release.