Estrella Mountain Community College Ocotillo Hall
Avondale, AZ
With the very latest in design for classroom/lab spaces offering flexibility and new pedagogy of learning, the new 32,000 SF learning studios take advantage of the fact that learning does not just take place between the timeframes of a classroom “session.” Flexible design that provides technology and collaboration make these studios the wave of the future. Studies are currently under way to prove the improved student and faculty outcomes of the design. Roger Yohe and recently retired president, Dr. Homero Lopez, at Estrella Mountain Community College presented this project internationally and intend to help the community college district set up prototype classrooms on each of its campuses.
Due to the aggressive schedule, the general contractor actually worked with Orcutt | Winslow in our office during the design process, as well as attending our program/design meetings with the owner. With complete interaction as part of the design-build team, the design was completed in less than 60 days and was within the owner's budget. Orcutt | Winslow provided all preliminary design drawings used to establish the contractor’s GMP, and the modular construction began during schematic design. Prefabricated construction methodology allowed precision connections and fit of materials in a shop setting. The building was built then partially deconstructed to allow for shipping to the site. High-quality materials were used such as steel, concrete and prefabricated trusses.
