West Valley College, Saratoga, Calif., serves more than ten thousand students on the western edge of Silicon Valley, 50 miles south of San Francisco. Its student center dates to the early 1970s—concrete construction, limited visibility to the outdoors, not much flexibility to its spaces, and a hard-to-follow circulation plan. To add to the problem, a new building cut off two nearby plazas from each other, rendering them largely unused.
The college brought in BFGC-IBI Group, San Luis Obispo, Calif., to address these problems. The design firm employed folding glass wall partitions (in this case, the NanaWall SL70 Folding System) to replace the single-glazed storefront windows. One of the installations links the two previously separated plaza spaces, creating a new circulation artery and breathing new life into the plazas.
Another installation in the student center has a fully operable wall of glass, which enables the college to rent the space for weddings and parties, providing a new source of revenue. An interior partition installation enhanced visibility between previously obscured areas of the student center.
Related Stories
Architects | Sep 1, 2020
An evidenced-based approach to elevate the workplace experience
A new NBBJ report presents design concepts for providing people with opportunities to recharge and engage in the workplace.
K-12 Schools | Sep 1, 2020
The rise of inquiry-based learning in K-12 communities
Inquiry-based education offers a methodology that does not rely solely on the educator being the lead in all learning.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020
2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Architects | Aug 27, 2020
Strategically planning your firm past the COVID-19 pandemic
As AEC firm leaders consider worst-case scenarios and explore possible solutions to surmount them, they learn to become nimble, quick, and ready to pivot as circumstances demand.
Digital Twin | Aug 27, 2020
The Weekly show: Digital twin technology and social equity in the AEC market
The August 27 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Architects | Aug 26, 2020
We the People: Four steps for the architecture profession to build unity through design
Architect offers a 4-point manifesto to the design community to work for racial and social justice in the U.S. following the death of George Floyd.
Coronavirus | Aug 25, 2020
Video: 5 building sectors to watch amid COVID-19
RCLCO's Brad Hunter reveals the winners and non-winners of the U.S. real estate market during the coronavirus pandemic.
Architects | Aug 19, 2020
Japan’s Tokyo Toilet project looks to improve the perception of public restrooms
17 toilets throughout Shibuya will be redesigned as part of the project.
Architects | Aug 5, 2020
Final report: BD+C's 2020 Color Trends Report
This special research report from the editors of BD+C explores the leading trends and drivers related to the use of color on commercial, institutional, and multifamily building projects.
University Buildings | Aug 2, 2020
R&D hubs, modular-built hotels, and an award-winning student center on the August 6 “The Weekly”
R&D hubs, modular-built hotels, and an award-winning student center on the August 6 “The Weekly”
