Photo: The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building will include an 80 kW AC solar array system and a battery energy storage system capable of providing up to eight hours of backup power. | Photo Credit (all): Steinberg Hart
LOS ANGELES — Construction is officially underway on the $72 million Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building at Los Angeles City College (LACC), a major project that will anchor the center of campus and advance the Los Angeles Community College District’s (LACCD) sustainability goals. Designed by Steinberg Hart, the four-story, 67,230-square-foot facility will combine historic architectural character with contemporary instructional and sustainable design elements.
When complete in early 2027, the new building will serve as a prominent gateway to the LACC campus, providing sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills. The building will house instructional rooms, IT help areas, campus safety operations, a multipurpose room, and faculty and student resource spaces. A fourth-floor outdoor terrace will provide a gathering space with panoramic views, but natural light will be prominent feature inside as well thanks to fritted curtainwall facades on the east and west lobbies that help to maintain temperature and reduce glare while maintaining privacy and visual connection to the surrounding campus.
Jacobs will serve as the project manager, with McCarthy Building Companies serving as general contractor. McCarthy Building Companies recently broke ground on the project — continuing a longstanding relationship with LACCD.
“We are excited to bring the Cesar Chavez Administration & Workforce Building to Los Angeles City College as it will offer a variety of much needed resources while also serving as an anchor to welcome students and staff,” said Michael Kim, senior vice president at McCarthy Building Companies, in a statement. “This is our tenth project with the LACCD, and it is such a pleasure to create robust educational facilities that produce significant learning outcomes.”
Sustainability is central to the project’s design, which aligns with LACCD’s goal of achieving net zero by 2040. The facility will include an 80 kW AC solar array system and a battery energy storage system (BESS) capable of providing up to eight hours of backup power. The surrounding central quad will feature native vegetation, light-colored paving, and a Solar Reflection Index (SRI) “cool” roof to mitigate the urban heat island effect. All sustainable elements are being designed to meet LEED Gold certification standards.
Founded in 1929, LACC is the oldest of the Los Angeles Community Colleges and has played a pivotal role in shaping higher education across the region, including serving as the original home of what became the University of California, Los Angeles. Today, LACC continues to serve one of Los Angeles’ most diverse communities, including East Hollywood, Hollywood, Silver Lake and Echo Park. The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building was funded by Measure CC.