The new Food Service Building at Mt. San Antonio College will provide primary food services for approximately ten years, after which it will continue operation as a satellite food service facility. The site of the Food Service Building is located in the northwestern portion of the campus’ Primary Instructional Zone, directly adjacent to all the Fine and Performing Arts instructional facilities, future parking garage and gateway plaza. This location allows for ease of access from the primary campus vehicle drive on the north.
Unique challenges were the small, steeply sloping site and continuous operation of the existing campus cafe during construction. A line of mature beautiful Tipuana Tipu trees on the south inspired the primary design approach for the building as a continuous terrace under the trees, which provides a parallel path adjacent to the main pedestrian walk and increases the seating area available. It connects all public spaces and provides flexible, open and easily accessible areas for student eating, gathering and meeting.
Photo Credit: Bill Timmerman
Performing Arts Center Renovation
The Performing Arts Center was in need of a major renovation work in all public areas. The house was changed in its configuration with new walls, foyer, seating and acoustic treatment. A new pre-function lobby integrated areas for ticket sales, concession, art gallery and new public restrooms. An art gallery was incorporated in the lobby, having specialty lighting, art cases, and areas for flexible art to be exhibited. The large hall has seating for 280, which was modified to provide accessible access, seating, and improved media control area. The new entrance also offers an outdoor theater performance area for special events.
Photo Credit: Matt Winquist
Math and Science Building
The Math, Science and Engineering Building consolidates the teaching programs of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Geography and Mathematics into one modern facility. The new teaching and learning environments replace existing and aging facilities, constructed in the mid-sixties and early seventies.
MIAA collaborates closely with the faculty and college staff to help clarify their needs. The project strives to provide more functional and adequate spaces in the new building to better accommodate both the faculty and students alike. Flexible classrooms, labs, lab support, offices and other collaborative spaces will increase efficiencies, enhance collaboration, strengthen shared purposes and promote greater learning.
The project design implements recycled water for irrigation and a state of the art water harvesting system. All roof water, site rain water, and HVAC is piped to an underground cistern that is sized to handle the majority of rain events.