American River College, Los Rios Community College District

Bringing Together Science and Arts on Campus

Seeking to bridge the gap between science and art informed an array of design decisions. The arts and science classrooms are dispersed throughout the building rather than being relegated to separate wings.

Faculty offices are arranged on the front of the building, making them more accessible and facilitating the interaction between instructors and their students. The design incorporates a wider corridor that gives access to the classrooms and offers students a chance to linger and communicate. The same logic applies to the built-in lounge seating and tables created for the students to congregate at before and after class. These spaces are intended to trigger casual conversations and spark innovation and ideas.

To animate the spaces, getting light inside was a key consideration and one that presented challenges given the site: It backs up on the existing life sciences building. Classrooms for art and fashion were positioned on the north side to take advantage of the quality of the light. A space for shared rehearsal, where light was much less of a concern, was a natural fit for a spot against the existing science building. Elsewhere, classrooms that overlook an interior gathering space have generous skylights.

Portfolio
Location

Sacramento, California

Building Type

Learning Spaces, Performing Arts

Size

27,650 SF

  • 2010 Community College Facility Coalition, Growth Honor Award

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