American Career College

Ontario, California

Firm

LPA, Inc.

Client

Area

60,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$13,400,000

Completion Date

08/2008

The American Career College (ACC), a healthcare and medical college, presented an opportunity to create a new paradigm for this type of education facility. The two-story, 60,000-square-foot facility provides classrooms, laboratories and administrative offices on a seven-acre site in Ontario, Calif.

By taking the program elements and pulling them apart to form an interior space, the design enables students to interact in a stimulating environment, enhanced by transparent classrooms, inspiring graphics and a welcoming gathering area. The “Quad” incorporates artificial turf, park-like benches and colorful furniture to create an engaging “out of classroom” area for social interaction.

The design utilized glass efficiently and creatively. Students at work are showcased in glass-partitioned classrooms, fostering a transparent environment where students are surrounded by learning and have increased access to teachers. This transparency symbolizes the elimination of barriers by attending this school, and fosters a collaborative environment rich with visible academic and social activity. In addition, the use of glass creates an open environment that harvests daylight, and intelligent interior lighting strategies reduce energy usage.

“The simple, straightforward design of the

overall building interior provides a wonderful combination of daylight and color, and will

allow easy reconfiguration of space over

the life of the building.”–2009 jury