The Chabot Las Positas Community College District and Chabot College celebrated the grand opening of its new Library and Learning Connection building in Hayward, California, with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. HMC Architects, Group 4 Architecture, Rudolph and Sletten, Swinerton, Chabot faculty and staff, and prominent community members were in attendance to mark the opening of the newest, tallest, and most innovative building on campus.
The four-story atrium provides an unobstructed visual connection through the building to the upper floors, and spaces clustered around the atrium are branded for easy wayfinding. A café, library, learning resources, and a variety of open and closed study spaces promote an active student lifestyle and encourage social participation. Open floor plans, large windows, and glazed skylights flood the atrium with daylight and put learning on display. Each student at Chabot College has unique educational needs and journeys. The design team proactively engaged students, faculty members, and other stakeholders to understand these journeys and developed a design focused on visual clarity, transparency, equity, and safety. The design thoughtfully intertwines academic resources, study, and social spaces to soothe the stigma around seeking help and provide students with a safe space to study and enhance their lives. By removing barriers and supporting the holistic student experience, the new center will become a hub for collaboration and success for future Chabot students. The design incorporates a variety of sustainable design strategies and targets LEED Gold certification.
Students and staff are already very excited about this new space and it is full of students using its services. Since opening, students have expressed that they enjoy the new central space to socialize with friends and some have made this their daily study space. Tutoring and support programs have been busy and full of students accessing services throughout the day.
HMC designed this project in collaboration with Group 4 Architecture who is also the architect of record.
