NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Oakland, CA, United States, 02/13/2007 - Contra Costa Community College District taps GLA for its rehabilitation/ reuse project for it’s Diablo Valley College Health Center design.

The Contra Costa Community College District (which oversees the four separate campuses of Diablo Valley College, Contra Costa College, Los Medanos and the San Ramon DVC campus) has selected the sustainable architecture design firm of Gerard Lee Architects to help in its Health Center project. Having health services on campus for its student body has been a pressing need for DVC but finding the right location within the limits of existing sites on campus was problematic. The Health Center falls under the auspices of the DVC Student Services Department.

Because of their successful working relationship on the recently completed DVC new College Bookstore, the district selected the principal of GLA to help them design their new Health Center within the existing Business Education building. Previously the space held the administrative offices of the Book Center but with the opening of the new marquee book store, it was decided to rehabilitate the space and to reuse it for the Health Center. This is an example of an adaptive reuse project whereby an existing building is utilized for new uses. Reuse of an existing building helps reduce construction waste that would result from demolishing the existing building. This in turn reduces pressure on existing landfills and the expenditure of energy and carbon emissions that would be a result of demolishing the existing building and the construction of a brand new building. Adaptive reuse or rehabilitation of buildings is an effective and sustainable strategy considering the number of existing buildings within the nations building stock.

Educational facilities hold a special place within GLA and they work hard to exceed the expectations of clients. The principal of GLA is an adjunct professor and has been teaching both architecture design and construction within the community college system since 2000. They understand the particular needs of community colleges and will continue to serve them well into the foreseeable future.

CCCCD represents a repeat client to Gerard Lee Architects.

Agency / Source: Gerard Lee Architects, Inc.

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