Project Description
The Central Arizona College has expanded its reach across the central Arizona desert and recently completed the first buildings on its newest San Tan Campus. Following assistance with the site selection process, DLR Group moved into the master planning and design work with a plan for phased growth for the 200+ acre campus in years to come. DLR Group’s design emphasizes transparency within each space, providing visual connection to the entire campus as well as expansive views of desert and mountains. The planning process involved extensive coordination with College staff, faculty, and user stakeholder groups. The end result is a flexible master plan, program and design allowing the College to grow from a smaller, flexible campus with options for future buildings as enrollment rises and program offerings grow.
The scope of the the 75,000 SF, five-building Phase 1 includes a student services center complete with a flexible one-stop shop for testing, bookstore, security office, lobby, materials display, administrative offices, counseling, financial aid, career counseling and features a lobby triage station with online registration facilities. Additionally, the library is paired with a cafe, student success/learning resource center and distance learning facility. Classroom buildings include science labs, allied health labs, a fine arts/dance/performance pavilion, and general use classrooms. The campus also gives opportunity for community use with flexible community room facilities to seat up to 600 along with kitchen facilities. Infrastructure elements include a central plant/site amenities and parking. DLR Group provided planning, architecture, interiors, and landscape architecture services.