Colton High School Culinary/ Hospitality CTE Complex

Colton, California

Firm

Ruhnau Clarke Architects

Client

Colton Joint Unified School District

Area

8,599 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$5,200,000

Completion Date

02/2024

Ruhnau Clarke Architects

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The district wanted to expand and enhance the food service and hospitality CTE pathway at Colton High School. The improvements offer students an opportunity to gain hands-on practice in an environment conducive to the art of cooking with equipment commonly found in professional kitchens.

The project entails modernizing an existing 3,800-square-foot assembly hall and replacing aging and insufficient classrooms and equipment with a 4,700-square-foot culinary arts building. The goal is to provide a sophisticated, high-tech environment that will prepare students for careers in the hospitality industry and the culinary arts while also creating a social destination hub, “the colony,” inspired by the 122-year-old beloved yellowjacket school mascot.

The new contemporary facility fully supports the school’s curriculum with an indoor café run by students, learning spaces, flexible assembly hall with built-in seating and demonstration kitchen. The connection to outdoor seating areas with grilling area, herb garden and bar top seating provides a space for student gatherings, after-school functions, competitions, and front-of-house learning opportunities regarding serving and management.