The Contra Costa Community College District recently celebrated the opening of Diablo Valley College’s new Art Complex in Pleasant Hill, California, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the HMC design team, district leaders, college leadership, the Dean of Arts and Communication, and students. The 34,000 square foot, $35 million complex aims to unify the art program facilities and create a sense of community for students in a Zero Net Energy (ZNE) facility, where art and the process of making art can be showcased to inspire interest and encourage student participation.

The Art Complex is a two-story building located on the east end of the existing performing arts center, serving as the new home for the college’s art programs. The building provides studio, classroom, office, and support spaces tailored to the specific needs of the school’s fine and digital arts programs. The first floor accommodates three-dimensional art such as ceramics and sculptures, as well as two-dimensional art like photography and printmaking. The second floor is designed for digital art, featuring production studios and computer labs for the art and digital media program. An entry to the art gallery on this level provides access to student art displays within the two-story gallery. The courtyard space is a flexible outdoor environment suitable for various activities such as pre-function space for art gallery events, an outdoor lounge area, or an outdoor classroom environment. The courtyard includes a large habitable staircase that connects the courtyard to the second-floor deck and provides amphitheater-style seating for courtyard events.

The project is targeting LEED Gold and Zero Net Energy certification through the LEED Zero program.