College Center, Superstition Mountain

The open and interactive program provides many types of learning spaces to fit a diverse student body.  Spaces include student services, science teaching labs, classrooms, library, tutoring center, computer commons, offices, community room, café, and bookstore.

Serving as the ‘heart’ of the campus, the College Center presents a new face to the community and builds a centerpiece to the campus that creates precedence for future growth.  This comprehensive project was developed with functional and programmatic requirements carefully responding to the site and context.  The organizational structure allows for incremental growth while maintaining a cohesive and complete campus development.

The building layout was organized by creating two centers which are linked by a bridge that spans an existing arroyo.  One center includes student commons, defined by a large folded ceiling that stretches across open learning spaces with floor to ceiling glass.  The second center houses a group of five science teaching labs, offices, and lounge areas that provide an academic link between functions.  Open lounges and learning spaces, combined with a café, open computer lab, and exterior patio space encourages collaborative and flexible learning.  Tutoring and library services are easily accessible from common areas offering extended learning opportunities and casual interaction.