The 114,000 SF, all-electric, LEED Platinum-certified building is envisioned as a high-tech circuit. The project aims to connect department programs, industry, and the community with labs, classrooms, multipurpose rooms, and outdoor gathering spaces that support their educational journey. As today’s mechanical and machine technology industries increasingly rely on complex electrical systems, a cross-disciplinary approach to both program and building design fosters deeper integration in the education process. The architecture supports this by creating strong physical and visual connections between disciplines. Glazing along corridors provides views into lab spaces, sticky spaces within corridors offer opportunities for collaboration and inspiration both within and across departments, and labs open onto campus circulation paths, further supporting engagement and hands-on learning across fields. Operable wall systems seamlessly link the entry plaza to flexible exhibit and multipurpose lobby spaces, which flow directly into the EV automotive labs and extend outward to the automotive yard—promoting visibility and encouraging interaction across department programs.

The connection with industry is promoted through program partnerships with Southern California Edison, Rivian sponsorships, and a full-size Volvo EV big rig. SBVC’s Technical Education Building offers students a hands-on gateway to some of the most in-demand careers in the Inland Empire.

This high-performance facility is a flagship for the school’s net-zero energy pilot program. It is a living lab for sustainable practices, demonstrating how to maximize efficiency and environmental stewardship. A partnership with Southern California Edison’s “Emerging Technologies Program” enabled the integration of thermal chimneys throughout the automotive labs, as well as the incorporation of a DC power demonstration component connected to the project’s photovoltaic glass entry canopy. Data from these systems will be used by the college and SCE to measure their effectiveness and inform future projects.

The Applied Technology Building represents our commitment to providing our local students with the best education and training to excel in their careers. – Dr. Linda Fontanilla, Interim President