Valley College

Narratives

Architect Narrative

Outside the Traditional Classroom: While designing this building complex, we focused on our commitment to: 1) build a state-of-the-art, environmentally-sensitive building to meet our future academic needs and 2) ensure that the principles of environmental technologies and cost-savings are conveyed to our students and to surrounding communities. Decisions regarding the placement of the outdoor classroom (as well as an aviary, green house, and archeological dig), the construction of a stormwater retention basin, and the selection of materials used to construct the AHSC Center, were based on the ultimate benefits to our students, our college, and our community. For example, the Center and outdoor areas will include signage and text for a sustainability walking tour that will provide education on the subject of green buildings, and a functioning “living machine” that illustrates how wetlands function in ecosystems as natural water purification systems and wildlife habitat.

Water Resources: Students living in this region familiar with drought quickly learn about the water efficiency measure integrated into AHSC. In addition to existing low flow lavatories, urinals and showers, an outside retention basin captures rainwater from the site. The grassy slope in the north garden will form a depression to collect rainwater, which will percolate to recharge the groundwater and minimize the impact on stormwater infrastructure. Native and other Mediterranean drought-resistant plants incorporated into our teaching gardens will provide educational opportunities throughout the year. As these systems are located adjacent to AHSC and marked with educational signage, it provides an excellent opportunity to exhibit and discuss stormwater issues. Students and community visitors will understand the limitations (and possibilities) of our regional climate and learn innovative strategies for living and gardening.

Working and Learning Together: Spaces that encourage interaction and promote sharing between departments and disciplines are fundamental to the Center. The L-shaped scheme organizes the building into two wings: one for classrooms/laboratories, the other for faculty offices. This layout allows for the structural and mechanical specialization needed in the laboratory without burdening the office and administrative areas with the more expensive building systems and controls. Having a wide array of disciplines taught in adjacent rooms, with faculty offices nearby, promotes interaction and educational exchanges between students, technicians, and faculty.

The Power of Light: The main entry between the lab and office sections will form an outdoor lobby that will act as a gathering space for the science community. The area will be partly covered by a steel canopy that will hold the photovoltaic collectors and shade the students from the hot summer sun. The collectors also provide a working model of sustainable technologies, described with appropriate signage. The solar cells will generate 10% of the energy the annual center needs to function and provide a much-needed sunshade for students, faculty, and staff.

Educator Narrative

Educators Must Lead by Example: Our Board of Trustees, with full faculty and staff support, mandated that all new buildings be built to LEED™ certified standards or above. With this environmental mission, the District is transforming the marketplace and the construction industry. The District’s sustainability mandate requires that contractors seek out and adopt environmentally-friendly solutions, applying that knowledge to future construction projects. AHSC will be the first instructional facility built to these specifications on our campus. Campus-wide, we will build 5 new certified ”green” buildings, out of more than 40 projects district-wide.

The faculty and staff are involved with AHSC’s creation understand the need to involve students in a learning environment where they are surrounded by applied sustainable principles integrated into the very core of their classroom experiences.

Hand to Head to Heart Philosophy: AHSC is designed to approach the life and physical sciences from hand to head to heart. Professors will teach in an environment explicitly suited to their needs and the building itself will become a tool for illustrating sustainable technology and design. With teaching and tutoring laboratories in close proximity to faculty offices, students and faculty will become an interactive scientific learning community. Students and faculty will work together on projects ranging from experimental gardening, to avian and animal care, anthropological exploration, and a “living machine” wetland simulation that emulates natural water purification processes. Employing a hands-on approach that incorporates sustainable principles, students learn environmental theory, apply what they learn, and take their lessons to heart.

Beyond Campus Boundaries: As a community college, we are deeply connected to the community we serve. We have extensive outreach efforts focused on local small and emerging businesses. This local emphasis increases campus pride and reinforces our commitment to excellence. Hiring local contractors also allows us to give back directly to the community we serve. Our students also have the opportunity to learn more about this process through an on-going internship program.

At least 10% of the energy for the AHSC will be provided by on-site photovoltaic cells part of a goal to make sustainable technology and materials more affordable. The increased buying power of the District lowers the per-unit cost of solar cells, making sustainable options more attractive to the general public.

Our students will learn in state-of-the art laboratories and use energy-efficient equipment. In the State with the strictest energy efficiency requirements in the nation, we have pledged to surpass minimum standards by at least 20%. Towards this goal, faculty office spaces feature adjustable windows and innovative radiant heating and cooling systems. By becoming familiar with these technologies, our students will understand that energy efficiency need not interfere with performance.

We have just received Division of the State Architecture’s approval for our design of this building, and expect to break ground this summer.
Co-authored by:
College President Dr. Wieder
Vice President of Academic Affairs Carlotta Tronto
Geography Professor Don Gauthier