The San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) Technical Building in San Bernardino, California won a Community College Facility Coalition (CCFC) Project in Design Award of Excellence. The professional design award was presented during the CCFC annual conference in Rancho Mirage, California.

San Bernardino Valley College is setting out to create a high-performance Technical Education Facility to launch its net-zero energy pilot program. Envisioned as a high-tech circuit, the 114,897 SF project sits on 3.92 acres and serves to connect department programs, campus, industry, and community, and is envisioned to serve as a Living Lab, maximizing efficiency and environmental stewardship in a demonstrative way. The project will host comprehensive EV automotive, electronics, machining, HVAC&R, water tech, and emerging tech programs, supported by labs, lecture halls, and gathering spaces. The automotive labs feature a set of five thermal chimneys that will work in conjunction with the project’s high velocity-low speed fans and bi-fold doors to enhance thermal comfort within the large lab spaces. The PV deck located off the electronics and flex labs, provides students with hands-on training on how to assemble, disassemble and analyze energy systems or a working photovoltaic system. Numerous ‘sticky spaces’ carved out around the building will provide students with physical and AV support outside of classrooms for social, group work, and cross-disciplinary exposure. The project is also targeting LEED Platinum Certification. With an all-electric building mechanical system, thermal chimneys, and a PV support structure that will provide nearly 70 percent of the building’s anticipated energy use, the Technical Education Building anticipates a 64 percent energy savings over T24 requirements.

The CCFC works to provide leadership in legislative advocacy and deliver critical information, education, and training on facilities issues for community college districts and their business partners to enhance student learning.  The annual Professional Design Awards celebrate projects that enhance the community college learning environment. Learn more and see the full list of winners on CCFC’s Website.