PA designed the recently completed the Mathematics, Business and Computing Center Building at Orange Coast College (OCC). The 91,000-square-foot, three-story building was designed to house faculty offices, lecture and laboratory space and computer labs for the Mathematics, Business and Computing programs.

Most of the original OCC campus buildings were designed in the mid-1950s by renowned modern architect Richard Neutra. Applying Richard Neutra’s concept of indoor/outdoor integration, the program was distributed along two sections of space with a central courtyard. Bold and striking colors were used strategically to stimulate and brand the learning environment while enhancing collegiate pride.

High-performance materials such as perforated metal ceilings and walls were purposely used in spaces with unique geometry and forms. All classrooms and faculty offices have physical and visual access to outdoor spaces, including views and natural daylight. The building design concept accomplished two goals for the campus: the need to provide each department with its own dedicated spaces and the commitment to follow the campus master plan ideas developed by Richard Neutra in the 1950s.