Comstock's magazine 0620 - June June 2020 | Page 63

SOLANO
COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
Science building
Architect: HGA
Project cost: $37 million
Completed: 2019
The Solano Community College campus in Fairfield was mostly
built in the early 1970s with small capsule-size windows that
created a very dark aesthetic. The campus leadership wanted a
new science center that fit with the context of the existing campus,
but with a fresh approach. The architects were challenged to stay
within the district’s scripted design standard while still creating a
modern and more transparent and open building.
One element that was prevalent throughout the campus was a
cement-tiled mansard roof. Instead of duplicating the decades-old
roof design, the architects incorporated the color, a reddish-brown
hue, into the new project to fit within the context of the existing
campus. Modern archways also frame the space. Inside, the
45,000-square-foot center contains state-of-the-art classrooms
and laboratories for biology, chemistry, anatomy, geology and
geography. A dedicated veterans center is also included.
“Our intent was to make the exterior envelope very efficient
and economical so we could spend the majority of the budget on
the inside where the students benefit from it most,” says Creed
Kampa, HGA design principal. With the savings, the architects
added a large lecture hall. Another design criterion was to prevent
cross contamination of noise and fumes between teaching labs. For
example, the organic chemistry room includes about 20 hoods to
draw out fumes and toxic chemicals and can be loud when in operation.
Acoustic enhancements were designed into the building to
control the noise between classrooms and labs. To bring in natural
light, HGA created multiple courtyards on the inside of the building
with a quad area known as the “living room.” Landscaped planter
areas with low walls and abundant tables and chairs encourage
students to hang out and gather.
PHOTO BY BERNARD ANDRE
June 2020 | comstocksmag.com 63