HMC Architects, San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD), and San Bernardino Valley College’s Technical Education Building (SBVC) were recognized for excellence in sustainable design with a 2024 U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC-CA) California Green Building Award in the Energy and Operational Carbon Category.

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 connects department programs, campus, industry, and community. It’s envisioned as a living lab, maximizing efficiency and environmental stewardship. 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 spaces. The PV deck, located off the electronics and flex labs, provides students with hands-on training on assembling, disassembling, and analyzing energy systems or a working photovoltaic system. Numerous “sticky spaces” carved out around the building will provide students with physical and AV support outside classrooms for social, group work, and cross-disciplinary exposure. The project also targets 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 building anticipates a 64 percent energy savings over T24 requirements.

USGBC-CA is an organization of professionals and advocates who work together to transform California into a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient region for all. Members and volunteers believe in creating a more sustainable built environment through education, innovation, and impactful action. The annual awards program evaluates merit-based sustainable strategies that demonstrate exemplary performance by going above and beyond credit achievement.  To learn more, visit the USGBC-CA website.