Long Beach City College, Industrial Technology Center

Long Beach, California

Firm

Rachlin Partners

Client

Long Beach Community College District

Area

26,450 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$15,200,000

Completion Date

07/2007

The Industrial Technology Center (ITC) was designed to house spaces with cutting-edge computer-driven equipment for the college’s welding, machine tooling and architecture departments. Designed in the "international style" of modern architecture, the center features multimedia educational spaces, computer skills/study rooms, labs, and facilities for welding and machine tools. The emphasis on glass and exposed steel is aesthetically pleasing and representative of the building’s industrial function. It also serves to maximize daylight within the building and, consequently, reduce energy use.

To ensure good indoor air quality and occupant comfort—key considerations given the potential health and safety hazards of industrial equipment—high ceilings, a "dust hog," and operable windows were installed to provide appropriate ventilation and evacuation of heat, gases and dust from the machine shop. Rows of spandrel glass also were incorporated to reduce the amount of heat generated by sunlight.

For the exterior, metal panels and dramatic night-lighting contribute to the ITC’s industrial appearance, while landscaping provides a natural contrast through a tree-shaded "quad" with benches and grassy areas for students to use as gathering places.