HGA Architects and Engineers (HGA), an integrated architecture, engineering and planning firm, has been awarded a contract with contractor McCarthy Building Companies Inc. (McCarthy), one of the oldest American-owned construction companies, as design-build lead for a 50,000-square-foot, three-story, Math, Science and Technology Classroom and Lab Building at Cañada College in Redwood City, California. Construction of the facility is tentatively scheduled to begin in spring of 2018.
“With a student body of more than 6,000 individuals, modernizing the math and science facilities is essential to the long-term success of the college,” said Kaveh Amirdelfan, principal-in-charge of the project on behalf of HGA. “Working with the college to develop a state-of-the-art facility for students and faculty alike will serve as an excellent model for future developments.”
The new building will feature flexible classrooms, labs and faculty offices, and will provide a modern learning facility for science education. Supporting the philosophy that learning happens everywhere, the design will propose such features as an indoor/outdoor “learning commons.” An enhanced plaza adjacent to the building will create a functional and attractive outdoor gathering space, drawing students to this new heart of the north campus.
“The modernized building will be perfectly suited for 21st century students and teachers, especially in disciplines that directly relate to the region’s dominant professional industries,” said McCarthy’s Project Director Bill Niemann. “The sustainability features that will be incorporated will support the academic success of the students and ensure the longevity of the facility. We’re thrilled to partner with HGA and Cañada College on this project, which will leave a lasting impact the community for years to come.”
The building will be designed to achieve LEED Gold certification and to be Net Zero Energy-ready – meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is equal to or less than the amount of renewable energy created on the site. Additionally, the project will participate in the PG&E Savings by Design Program, which provides services to help meet and exceed California’s Title 24 energy efficiency requirements.
“The sustainable design of the new facility will not only reduce the college’s operational costs, but will also provide a healthier environment overall,” added Kevin Day, design principal at HGA. “The building will become an integral part of the science education on campus, and the learning environments provided there will help these students succeed in our 21st century workforce.”
In addition to Amirdelfan, the HGA project team includes Samara Lull, project manager; David Lang, project designer; Peter Kimelman, project architect; and Tiffany Coyne, project coordinator. Bill Niemann is the project director for McCarthy.