A New College Blooms in Coachella Valley

By Lindsey Coulter

This spring, construction will begin on the new College of the Desert (COD) Palm Springs campus, which will address the growing need for higher education access on the west side of the Coachella Valley. While COD already has a main campus, the new site was strategically planned to better serve students in Palm Springs and neighboring communities. Located directly across from Palm Springs High School, the campus aims to provide a direct pathway to continued education for students who may not otherwise have the means to attend college.

The project, which will be completed in March 2027, is expansive and ambitious. Totaling $268 million and comprising 175,000 square feet across 27 acres, the new campus will provide cutting-edge facilities for learning, collaboration and innovation. The primary structure, the Accelerator Building, will be a two-story facility to house digital media and arts, healthcare and architecture programs, supported by a variety of advanced technology labs, makerspaces, flexible classrooms, and specialized facilities such as a film screening studio, radio station and cafe. Additional campus structures include a world-class Culinary Institute, which will include multiple state-of-the-art kitchen laboratories and a boutique restaurant.

The project is designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification through sustainable features such as on-site photovoltaic power generation and energy-efficient design elements.

Newport Beach, Calif., firm MAAS is serving as the program manager and San Francisco-headquartered WRNS is the project’s architect. C.W. Driver will serve as construction manager and owner’s representative under a CM multi-prime delivery method.

“This project stands out not only for its sustainable design and technologically advanced learning spaces but also for its role in shaping the Coachella Valley as a hub for education, creativity and community connection,” said Dave Amundson, project executive with C.W. Driver. “Our history of building complex higher education facilities in Southern California has prepared us well for this opportunity.”

School Construction News spoke with Amundson about the unique challenges of delivering a large and technical project in desert conditions, and how the campus can serve as a model for future education design and construction.

SCN: What can students and educators anticipate from the new campus? How are buildings and spaces organized?

Amundson: The campus is organized to function as a cohesive educational community. The core consists of three main buildings: the Accelerator Building, the Culinary Building and the Events Center—all of which are connected by a striking steel breezeway. This breezeway unites the campus while providing much-needed shade, a critical design feature given the desert climate.

In addition to these academic and cultural spaces, the site includes a central plant, maintenance yard, and maintenance and operations office spaces. While having three distinct buildings presents unique construction challenges, efficiencies were gained by constructing them simultaneously. The buildings share mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems where possible, balancing both functionality and aesthetic individuality. Each building has its own distinct architectural character, reinforcing the idea of a diverse yet unified educational environment.

SCN: Did the size and scope of the Accelerator Building present any construction challenges or opportunities?

Amundson: Unlike traditional educational buildings that often rely on standardized classroom layouts, the Accelerator Building is a multipurpose innovation hub. It integrates spaces for cutting-edge programs, including podcast studios, television studios, laboratories and even hotel-style spaces all within a single structure. This dynamic programming creates an engaging and versatile learning environment.

A standout architectural and structural feature of the Accelerator Building are the steel-cast nodes, which serve as a functional support system and an artistic design element. The nodes resemble tree trunks and are unique for an educational setting. Custom made and cast in Brazil, they required an eight-month lead time, adding a layer of complexity to the procurement and construction process. This feature not only reinforces the building’s architectural identity but also creates a seamless indoor-outdoor experience by visually connecting exterior and interior spaces.

SCN: Will exterior spaces play a significant role in the project?

Amundson: Given Palm Springs’ desert climate, exterior spaces were designed with a strong emphasis on both shade and sustainability. The steel breezeway plays a crucial role in connecting the three main buildings while providing shaded walkways that allow students and faculty to move comfortably throughout the campus.

Landscaping also serves the dual purpose of enhancing the campus aesthetically while supporting environmental conservation. With nearly 800 trees and an emphasis on native flora, the design reduces water consumption and supports local ecology. A particularly innovative feature is the glazing on the mechanical yard, which allows students to view the central plant’s equipment without needing to enter the facility.

SCN: How did C.W. Driver help to determine the ideal delivery model and phasing plan?

Amundson: A project of this scale presents logistical challenges, particularly in a region outside the Los Angeles basin, where securing the right subcontractors can be more difficult. To attract top-tier partners, C.W. Driver engaged subcontractors from across the country who were drawn to the project’s size and complexity.

To manage the scale effectively, the project was broken down into smaller segments. Each building had its own dedicated construction team, ensuring focused oversight. Since the Accelerator Building is the largest and most complex, it was prioritized in the phasing plan, with construction starting there and progressing to the other buildings. This structured approach helps maintain efficiency, minimize disruptions and ensure the project stays on track for its scheduled completion.

SCN: Are there specific challenges building within a desert environment?

Amundson: The most obvious challenge is temperature in the Coachella Valley, which can reach 120°F during the summer months. To ensure worker safety, C.W. Driver follows OSHA regulations and has implemented several key strategies:

• Air-conditioned refuge trailers: Providing workers with a cool place to take breaks and avoid heat exhaustion.
• Adjusted work hours: Shifting schedules during peak summer months to work earlier in the day.
• Dust control: Due to strict AQMD (Air Quality Management District) regulations in Coachella Valley, the site has a full-time water truck to mitigate dust and ensure compliance with Rule 403.1, which addresses fugitive dust control in desert conditions.

By proactively planning for these challenges, C.W. Driver ensures safe and efficient construction operations year-round.

SCN: What lessons have you learned through this and other education projects?

Amundson: Communication is key. School construction projects involve multiple stakeholders—faculty, students, administrators, and community members—many of whom may not be familiar with construction processes. Transparent and frequent communication ensures that everyone remains informed and aligned. Simplifying technical language and setting clear expectations are key to project success.

SCN: How do you think this project might serve as a model for future school design and construction?

Amundson: For large-scale educational projects, collaboration is essential. Success comes when the owner, builder, architects and community share a unified vision. A strong partnership ensures that challenges are met with solutions, keeping projects on time, on budget and aligned with their educational mission.

This project demonstrates how thoughtful design, sustainable strategies and strong partnerships can shape the future of campus development.

This feature originally ran in the January/February digital edition of School Construction News.