Houston Community College, Learning Hub and Science Center

Located on the Central College Campus, this project creates a new image for the campus while complementing the historic San Jacinto building. The 121,000-sf facility includes 30,000 sf of teaching labs for general and organic chemistry as well as geology, physics, and instrumentation laboratories. The building also includes a 30,000-sf, two-story library, instructional space, a one-stop shop welcome center for student services, a dining hall, classrooms, and office support space.

The building curves gently to receive and reflect the facade of the original historic San Jacinto building, which visually preserves the symmetry of the historical structure and represents the vibrant future of the institution.  The Learning Hub was designed to be a beacon to the students and for the community. The facade acts as a billboard that showcases the life of the campus within. All public spaces in the building have a visual connection to the outdoors and views to the campus.

On the interior, text and color become organizing elements that navigate visitors through the space as well as convey the school’s vision. A warm gold notes the public program while the main core is defined by a fresh green hue with graphics that wrap the walls. Throughout the building, text and color are situated in contrast to the roughness of the exposed structural concrete.