communication arts building, cuyamaca college
DESCRIPTION
2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture. Communication Arts Building, Cuyamaca College. El Cajon, California Institution of Higher Education Project of Distinction NTD Architecture. Communication Arts Building, Cuyamaca College. Exterior Details. Community Environment - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Communication Arts Building,Cuyamaca College
El Cajon, CaliforniaInstitution of Higher Education
Project of DistinctionNTD Architecture
2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture
Communication Arts Building,Cuyamaca College
Community Environment
Framing the outdoor space with its curvilinear form, a central gathering place has been created, activated by student use throughout the day and
public activities in the evening. With the performing arts theater, digital theater, and art gallery/lobby opening off of the new lower site
area, it is frequently used as an indoor/outdoor space for public events. This has provided a much
needed connection between the college and its surrounding context, providing an invitation to its
community to share use of the new facility.
The Communication Arts building presents itself as a new face to a growing campus. Oriented
toward the main entrance of the college, the three-story facade both relates to the curvature of
many existing buildings, while also greeting visitors as a representation of a new direction the
college is heading. The combination of its architectural aesthetic, its careful site positioning,
and the new programs contained within, has been a welcomed addition to Cuyamaca Community
College, and signifies a transition from the college’s past to the future.
Exterior Details
North and South Elevations,Vertical Circulation
Community EnvironmentCut into a hillside, the Communication Arts Building creates a bridge between the
upper and lower campus with its central vertical circulation design.
Learning EnvironmentThe Communication Arts Building brings
much needed lab and assembly space to Cuyamaca College, giving students ideal
means by which they can exercise their creativity. Past studies have indicated that the chronic lack of specialized lab facilities has prohibited students from filling out their curricula. This program
brings the necessary lab-related facilities to fill the gap and enables the college to provide the students what they need to
build a foundation for success. Programs include English, ESL,
Reading, Speech, American Sign Language, Music, Drama, Fine Arts,
Assisted Learning, instructional labs, and independent learning labs.
The lobby area, which is shared with the recital hall, serves as the main gallery
space for the fine arts program. The fine and digital arts programs include
painting, drawing and sculpture instruction.
Fine Arts
Lobby/Fine Arts Gallery
Fine Arts Lab
Music Department/Theater
Learning EnvironmentAs home to the College’s music and
drama programs, the building features a four hundred-seat theater/recital hall,
adjacent scenery construction, rehearsal, and costuming spaces.
The music department has acoustically optimized instrument and choral
rehearsal rooms, a music library, and an electronic music lab. There is also a one
hundred-seat digital theater capable of widescreen cinema projection and digital
multi-media presentations.
Sun Control
Physical EnvironmentGenerous amounts of exterior glazing surround the building, allowing ample daylight in and
views out to the surrounding areas. Shade elements have
been carefully designed to control heat gain from direct sun
penetration.
Daylighting
Physical EnvironmentDaylight-filled spaces are throughout to provide the best lighting for its art programs, as well as reducing the building's dependence on artificial
lighting, improving energy performance.
Adjacency Diagrams
Planning ProcessThe Communication Arts Complex was driven by the
Facilities Master Plan that was completed in 2000. This project is the first educational facility that links
the lower and upper portions of the campus, providing an educational facility within close proximity
to existing parking.
The project addressed the need for a facility to complete the educational requirements in English,
Humanities and Fine and Professional Art programs, which were not adequately provided with the former
facilities.
The Communication Arts Complex was jointly funded by District Proposition R funds and State Proposition
5 bond funds, administered by the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges.
The Chancellor's Office reviewed and approved the Initial Project Proposal (IPP) and the Final Project
Proposal (FPP). Approval to receive bids for construction was acquired in 2005.
Schematic Design OptionsPlanning Process
As a partially state funded project, there were restrictions on the amount of certain types of spaces which could be constructed, based on the existing "inventory" of space already owned by the District. Through the
IPP and FPP process, the allowable types and quantities of spaces were determined and approved by the Chancellor's Office, forming foundation for the programming process.
Each academic department that would occupy the building was presented with questionnaires asking for specific design criteria for each space in the building. These criteria were to include adjacency requirements,
spatial needs, special power/ lighting/ environmental needs, acoustical requirements, and organizational issues as they relate to how instruction is delivered. Those questionnaires were returned to NTD, who after
reviewing them, met with each department to get clarification on intent.
Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data
Submitting Firm : NTD ArchitectureProject Role ArchitectProject Contact Richard Nowicki, AIATitle PartnerAddress 9655 Granite Ridge Drive, Suite 400City, State or Province, Country San Diego, California 92123, USAPhone 858/565.4440
Joint Partner Firm: N/AProject RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone
Other Firm: N/AProject RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone
Construction Firm: Rudolph & Sletten, Inc.Project Role General ContractorProject Contact Brett JensonTitle Senior SuperintendentAddress 10955 Vista Sorrento ParkwayCity, State or Province, Country San Diego, California 92130, USAPhone 858/793.1308
Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details
Project Name Communication Arts Building
City El Cajon
State California
District Name Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
Supt/President Dale Switzer
Occupancy Date Fall 2007
Grades Housed Community College
Capacity (Students) 936 per instruction hour
Site Size (acres) 2 acres
Gross Area (sq. ft.) 84,000 SF
Per Occupant (pupil) 90 SF per instruction hour
gross/net please indicate 84,000 SF
Design and Build? No
If yes, Total Cost:
Includes:
If no,
Site Development: $3,194,932.00
Building Construction: $22,033,283
Fixed Equipment: $122,090.00
Other: $0
Total: $25, 350,305.00