This campus transformation has recaptured its vision: “Connecting the College to the Community and the Community to the College.” Located within a historical gold mining community, the Sierra Community College Districts’ satellite campus of Western Nevada County, which opened its doors about 15 years ago, may be young but its influences are rich and prosperous.

The design team in close collaboration with the District began the initial design phase by analyzing the educational and facility strengths and weaknesses of the campus. Several of the existing facilities; which encompass 35,000 SF, faced operational deficiencies and were identified as more cost effective to transform their functions. The 71,000 SF of new educational programs were analyzed based upon facility demands as well as shared opportunities.

The design vocabulary for the campus is a reflection of its gold mining roots with a contemporary use of materials and detailing. The fiber cement siding compliments the existing campuses board n batten.  The vertical and horizontal metal siding; in colors of the surrounding landscape, become a reflection of the historical continuity. The exposed steel structures; functional yet artistic, and the stone accents with its chiseled texture, are symbolic of the mines and its structures.  The use of color and texture as well as educational and facility relationships will create a renewed energy for this campus.