San Diego Mesa College’s health education facility goes ‘green’

Built by US-based McCarthy Building Companies, the $23 million Allied Health Education and Training Facility is the district’s sixth facility to be LEED-certified and the fourth to achieve LEED-Gold status. Completed in August 2009, the new facility encompasses laboratory, classroom and faculty office space. Facilities needed for students to pursue degrees and certificate programs within five of the region’s most in-demand healthcare fields, including dental assisting, health information technology, medical assisting, physical therapy, and radiologic technology are also featured at the facility. Architects have incorporated a three-storey layout to serve all the uses required by students and staff on the compact site. With an aim to add powerful vertical elements to the building’s stairs and entry areas, stone cladding has been integrated. The building does not have a massive vertical appearance thanks to the use of a continuous ribbon window curtain wall system with integral horizontal window eyebrows. This also plays a significant role in shading the glass and helps in reducing the amount of solar heat gain inside the building. Some of the sustainable design elements of the building include highly insulated walls and roof areas, linoleum flooring made from natural sources, recycled construction materials, high-efficiency energy systems, an Energy-Star roof system, abundant day-lighting, and low-water use landscape. Solar panels located on the roof of the adjacent parking structure helps in meeting a significant part of the energy requirement. The project was funded by the $1.55 billion Propositions S and N construction bond program, which is providing for new teaching and learning facilities, major renovations and campus infrastructure projects at Mesa, City and Miramar colleges and six continuing education campuses.