Engineering News-Record (ENR) California has announced its 2024 Best Project Award winners and MiraCosta College Health and Wellness Hub was named the Best Higher Education/Research Project in Southern California. The 74,336 SF, $68 million Health and Wellness Hub stands as a testament to MiraCosta College’s overarching mission of fostering the academic and holistic success of its diverse learners within a caring and equitable environment. Housing essential facilities such as the allied health building, kinesiology, health, and nutrition building, as well as the gymnasium, the design seamlessly integrates multiple programs into a cohesive and collaborative space, facilitating innovation and shared learning opportunities.

The design-build team of HMC Architects + Balfour Beatty emphasized creating a comprehensive and inclusive campus environment. Through thoughtful landscape design, outdoor instructional spaces, and enhanced accessibility to surrounding areas, the hub ensures that every aspect of campus life is considered. The newly constructed gymnasium boasts state-of-the-art basketball and volleyball courts, team facilities, fitness areas, and administrative offices. With these additions, students can conveniently engage in on-campus practice sessions, reducing the time spent commuting between classes and training sessions. Additionally, the hub addresses the needs of students facing housing insecurity by offering laundry facilities. Situated on the eastern portion of the campus, the project is purposefully crafted to promote wellness, both physically and mentally. By consolidating health and wellness education spaces into a three-building complex seamlessly integrated with outdoor learning environments, the hub encourages a sense of community and cross-disciplinary collaboration while the careful arrangement of each space allows for the preservation of the unique identity of each program. Using a combination of high-performing building materials, cool roofs, and daylight harvesting strategies, the buildings are optimized to minimize energy consumption while ensuring occupant comfort. Additionally, innovative features such as deep roof overhangs and strategically placed skylights effectively manage glare and reduce reliance on artificial lighting, further contributing to the overall energy efficiency of the complex.

The MiraCosta College Health and Wellness Hub exemplifies a visionary approach to campus development, prioritizing the well-being and success of its students, faculty, and the broader community. With its innovative design, commitment to sustainability, and dedication to fostering collaboration, the building is poised to become a central hub for learning, growth, and holistic wellness for years to come.

An independent panel of experts from all corners of the AEC industry reviewed 90 projects from across California and Hawaii and selected 30 Best Projects and 27 Awards of Merit. The Southern California awards will be presented on October 15 in Los Angeles. For more information, or to see the full list of winners, visit ENR California’s website.