Cañada College Plans for Math, Science Education Building

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Plans for a 50,000-square-foot, three-story Math, Science and Technology Classroom and Lab Building at Cañada College are underway in Redwood City. The college recently awarded HGA Architects and Engineers and McCarthy Building Companies Inc. — both of which hold offices in nearby San Francisco and San Jose — a design-build contract for the project, which is scheduled to begin construction in spring 2018.

“With a student body of more than 6,000 individuals, modernizing the math and science facilities is essential to the long-term success of the college,” said Kaveh Amirdelfan, principal-in-charge of the project for HGA, in a statement. “Working with the college to develop a state-of-the-art facility for students and faculty alike will serve as an excellent model for future developments.”

The new building will advance the college’s commitment to tomorrow’s tech-savvy workforce. It will feature flexible classrooms, labs and faculty offices that will provide a modern learning environment for science education. The design team plans to include such key features as an indoor/outdoor learning commons that furthers the school’s commitment to the philosophy that learning happens everywhere. A plaza will also be designed adjacent to the building, creating a functional and attractive outdoor gathering space for students.

“The modernized building will be perfectly suited for 21st century students and teachers, especially in disciplines that directly relate to the region’s dominant professional industries,” said McCarthy’s Project Director Bill Niemann in a statement. “The sustainability features that will be incorporated will support the academic success of the students and ensure the longevity of the facility.”

The building will be designed to achieve LEED Gold certification and will be Net Zero Energy-ready, i.e., the amount of renewable energy created on the site will be equal to or more than the total amount of energy used by the building annually. The project will also participate in the PG&E Savings by Design Program, which will assist the school in meeting and exceeding California’s Title 24 energy-efficiency requirements.

“The sustainable design of the new facility will not only reduce the college’s operational costs, but will also provide a healthier environment overall,” added Kevin Day, design principal at HGA, in a statement. “The building will become an integral part of the science education on campus, and the learning environments provided there will help these students succeed in our 21st century workforce.”