Description

The Porterville College Academic Center was completed in 1990 for the Kern Community College District. The 15,000 sf single story facility cost $4,300,000 to construct with $230,000 for furnishings and equipment. The Program included removing five substandard buildings of 1950 s service station vintage and replacing them with the new facility to meet the educational needs of the college.

The new facility allowed our firm to re-master plan the campus, providing spaces both intimate and ceremonial in the master plan. The open space between buildings created a courtyard with mature trees being preserved. This has become an oasis for students during the hot summers. The design was to create a hip bridge with wings between existing buildings to form the open space courtyard. The space is protected from winds as well as enhancing this security for the campus interior from outside elements. The smooth inviting front elevation has gentle facets raising in levels to soften the elevation impact. This design element was used on all subsequent buildings on the campus as well as remodels. Strong horizontal lines were used as a design feature. The intersection of the various planes were done to create an ever-changing shadow line and shades of color without using color.

The building has aged well over the years and the maintenance has been extremely low, other low maintenance materials used: EIFS, ceramic tile, metal panels and glass.