LONG BEACH, Calif. –– C.W. Driver Companies, a premier builder serving California for more than 100 years, today announced the completion of a 95,500-square-foot, multi-disciplinary facility for Long Beach City College. Designed to be a 21st-century learning environment and achieve LEED® Gold Certification, the $50.9 million, three-story facility is the first design-build project funded by the state of California. Located on the Liberal Arts Campus, the building will house language arts, career technology education, computer and office studies, the student success center, and student success and support programs. The facility will be open to students in time for the Spring 2023 semester.
As a ground-up project, the construction involved the abatement and demolition of two existing 1960s concrete frame buildings as well as all associated utilities, hardscape, irrigation and landscaping. The new facility is constructed as a single steel frame structure complete with classroom, study and administrative spaces. Other key spaces include lecture halls, reading and writing focus areas, breakout rooms, and film studies theater. The project is surrounded by community courtyards where students can connect, study and socialize.
“We are excited to turn the keys over to Long Beach City College on a modern facility that meets the school’s sustainability goals and creates a centralized learning environment,” said Tom Jones, project executive at C.W. Driver Companies. “We were able to combine our many years building for higher education clients with our design-build expertise to realize efficiencies through enhanced communication and collaboration with our project partners.”
As a nod to the historical framework and character of the college’s Liberal Arts Campus, the new facility features elements of the Spanish colonial revival style alongside the introduction of contemporary elements. The fusion of design concepts creates an atmosphere that embraces both past and present.
Sustainable design practices were integrated into the project in order to achieve LEED® Gold Certification. The project focused on water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and material resources. Notable features include; light colored hardscape; overhangs, balconies and shade structures to mitigate the heat island effect; stormwater retention basin; low-flow efficient plumbing structures; HVAC strategies for improved air quality; and more.
“Sustainability is an integral part of our design and construction standards here at Long Beach City College,” said Dr. Chip West, Long Beach City College Vice President of Business Services. “The design build entity of C.W. Driver Companies and HPI Architecture built a state-of-the-art academic building that will greatly help our students reach their academic goals while reducing our carbon footprint.”
Funding was provided by California State Proposition 51 and by Measure E, a $440 million bond approved in 2008, and Measure LB, a $850 million bond approved in 2016, to fund new construction, renovation and repairs at the Long Beach City College Pacific Coast Campus and the Liberal Arts Campus.
C.W. Driver Companies collaborated with HPI Architecture on the project. Over the past 20 years, C.W. Driver Companies has delivered more than 40 design-build projects across California valued at $585 million. Other notable higher education design-build projects from the firm include San Diego Mesa College’s Fine Arts Building; CSU, San Marcos’ Student Health and Counseling Building; UC San Diego’s East Campus Office Building; UC Irvine’s Alumni Center and two recently awarded projects for CSU, Fullerton’s Visual Arts Campus and Mira Costa College’s Oceanside Campus – Chemistry and Biotechnology Building.
About C.W. Driver Companies
C.W. Driver Companies is a premier builder serving California since 1919. In 2019, the historic company proudly celebrated its 100-year anniversary. As a leader in general contracting and construction management services, C.W. Driver Companies are on the cutting edge across a broad spectrum of industries, including education, commercial/office, technology, healthcare/biomedical, mixed-use, assisted living, entertainment, retail, industrial and civic. Ranked in Engineering News Record’s Top 150 General Contractors and Top 100 Construction Managers, C.W. Driver Companies has the ability to build a variety of projects, from large tenant improvements to small renovations and specialized projects through its affiliates Driver SPG and Good & Roberts. C.W. Driver Companies has offices located in Los Angeles, Anaheim, Rancho Cucamonga, San Diego and Carlsbad.
