Los Angeles Valley College Breaks Ground on Academic Complex

Los Angeles Valley College in Los Angeles, Calif., recently broke ground on a new Academic Complex Building in conjunction with Los Angeles Community College, according to local news. The 84,000-square-foot, three-story structure will replace a facility from the 1950s and include a lecture hall, computer labs, smart classrooms, and a skills demonstration and test room.

It will also play home to administrative space for the college’s departments of business administration, computer science information systems, emergency services, mathematics, psychology and statistics, and sociology/ethnic studies. Improvements to the overall site are set to include an 11,000-square-foot below-ground stormwater retention system, new pavement, and drought-tolerant landscaping.

The project has an estimated completion date of 2025, according to local news.

“We are happy with how this new facility will support and improve students’ learning,” said Board of Trustees President David Vela. “In addition to offering necessary services, the new structure will help students fulfill their educational aspirations. The Los Angeles Community College District is devoted to giving students access to high-quality, affordable educational opportunities. This will prepare them for new job paths.”

The San Fernando Valley Sun reports that the project will cost about $90 million in total.

The project, Academic Complex 1, is part of a larger $704-million renovation and building campaign to renovate its existing facilities and build new, more sustainable ones. Existing academic buildings will be outfitted with new technology and more modern energy-efficiency standards, according to the university website.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Philadelphia Middle School Facility Earns LEED Gold Certification

    The Alternative Middle Years (AMY) at James Martin Middle School in Philadelphia, Penn., recently received a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a news release. The School District of Pennsylvania partnered with KSS Architects on the project.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.

  • Fargo, N.D., Starts Construction on Consolidated Elementary School

    Fargo Public Schools in Fargo, N.D., recently announced the beginning of construction on a new elementary school, according to a news release. The district partnered with ICON Architectural Group and Kraus-Anderson Construction on the new Horace Mann Elementary School.

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.