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