Monterey Peninsula College Debuts New Welcome Center
Monterey Peninsula College in San José, Calif., recently finished a major renovation project on its Welcome Center, according to a news release. The 14,500-square-foot facility was designed by ABA Studios and replaces an outdated facility; the college also partnered with construction management team Brailsford & Dunlavey/Ausonio Incorporated and general contractor Tombleson Incorporated.
“The building is meant to serve as more than a bridge to the community and a student’s first introduction to the College,” said Jason Hull, AIA, Project Architect with ABA. “It’s also meant to guide students throughout their entire academic journey at MPC, not only with various programs and services but also through social groups that can nurture friendships and peer support.”
Amenities include lounge areas, offices and workstations, multi-purpose rooms, collaborative work areas, and student amenities like meditation spaces, the news release reports. From a design perspective, the project required integrating the building into its surroundings while also creating a recognizable landmark representing the school. The facility, located in a forest area of campus, features outdoor gathering spaces, a patio overlooking a nearby ravine, and connective paths toward the center of campus and the Student Services Building.
“The Welcome Center project was a work of love,” said Dr. Kelly Fletes, the college’s vice president of student services. “The layout is everything we envisioned, and the energy the building exudes is a testament to the value everyone placed in bringing this project to life.”
About the Author
Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].