San Diego City College, Learning Resource Center

San Diego, California

Firm

tBP/Architecture

Client

San Diego Community College District

Area

69,733 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$12,646,983

Completion Date

09/2002

The San Diego City College Learning Resource Center (LRC) reflects its role as the heart and brain of the campus. It is perched on a hillside with views to downtown San Diego and the harbor beyond.
The design committee had four key goals:
-Be a “beacon of knowledge” for the city.
-Reflect the idea that librarians are information caretakers.
-Be organized in a clear, simple and understandable way, and operated with minimal staff.
-Create an environmentally responsive building using sustainable materials.
The building has a transparent skin that allows building uses to be seen from both the campus and the cityscape. A three-story entrance lobby allows visual access to the lower floor, which houses a media checkout/repair area, tutoring labs and a staff-development lab. The main level houses the circulation desk, reference and periodical areas, staff offices and a grand reading area with a bayview corner window. The upper level houses the stack area with quick lookup stations, and quiet reading and study areas—all with computer capabilities. Natural light via translucent skylights floods through openings in the floor to bathe the center of the building.