San Diego City College, Career Technology Ctr.

The new, five-story, 88,OOO-square-foot Career Technology Center at the San Diego City College housing an expanded nursing, cosmetology, photography and digital arts departments.

Multi-purpose classrooms include interactive instructional tools such as integral video projectors and screens, and an audio/visual podium. Construction included a new lecture theater accommodating 125 students. The facility is designed to obtain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. The Career Technology Center will provide new headquarters for City College Campus Police and also includes a new parking structure with 694 stalls, including 33 for high fuel-efficiency vehicles.

The nursing department areas include new nursing and simulation labs, complete with a state-of-the-art computing simulation lab and simulation practice models (dummies). Photography and digital arts have new darkrooms and studios that incorporate professional cyclorama backdrops, 66 enlarger stations, three digital print labs and a wide gallery area to display student work. Cosmetology includes state-of-the-art instructional labs for students pursuing specialty programs in skin care and hair care, and includes a retail service area.

The classroom building was oriented in the north-south direction to reinforce a new urban “green” boulevard (16th street) that will stretch from the south end of Balboa Park to the bay. A parkway was created through the site over the top of an existing utility easement, which creates a pocket of landscaped open space and emphasizes the site as a gateway between the community and college.