In the Media
DLR Group Partners with Chaffey College for new Library Learning Commons
September 6, 2023Spaces4Learning recently shared the exciting news about the new Library Learning Commons at Chaffey College.
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Project Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Client
Chaffey Community College District
Area
76,000 SF
Services
Architecture, interiors, acoustics, oversight, and specifications
Re-envisioning the Campus Library
Libraries are often seen as silent, forbidding places with strict social norms and haughty academics roaming the stacks. The design for the Chaffey College Library Learning Commons aims to expand the vision of what a library can be. Instead of serving solely as a place for quiet study, the library adds social space, supplemental instruction, classrooms and labs, administrative support, and faculty resources to the usual lineup of private study rooms, computer labs, and the physical collection.
01
Transformation
Establishing an Iconic Landmark
The new Library Learning Commons serves as the flagship building of the new master plan for Chaffey College. The building will be located near the recently renovated Michael Alexander Campus Center, the existing Student Services building and other instructional buildings, and will serve as an iconic part of the campus. The Library Learning Commons will connect Chaffey College’s North Campus to the promenade, the college’s main pedestrian pathway. A first-floor entrance from the promenade is connected through the central lobby to a second-floor entrance from the parking lot. The Library Learning Commons represents a hub of knowledge and academic services that will deliver collaborative, innovative, and flexible environments for many generations to come. Academic, administrative support, and faculty resources will be consolidated into one facility to develop synergies and innovation to better serve campus users.
Exterior view of Chaffey College Library Learning Commons in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
02
Inclusivity
Shared Spaces for Everyone
Our design intentionally prioritizes connection and inclusivity. A large lobby in the center of the building connects the two main entrances with a large staircase that serves as an informal gathering place. The staircase design incorporates space for students to sit and read, hang out with friends, or wait to meet a friend or professor. There are many spaces for connection throughout the rest of the building, from comfortable lounge spaces to private areas for group study. Classrooms, tech labs, computer stations, and multimedia innovation labs provide areas for students and professors to interact. A shared faculty workroom provides a place for faculty of different specialties to mingle and work together. The library will also provide a space for students to incorporate new technology into their learning, including multimedia and editing studios, accommodations for virtual learning, as well as open computer stations. Equal access to technology levels the academic playing field and allows for a variety of creative expressions.
Interior view of Chaffey College Library Learning Commons in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
03
Nature
Bringing in the Outdoors
Our design of the library is holistically connected to nature, from large windows and outdoor seating that capture the views of the San Gabriel Mountains to the colors and materials used both inside and out. Inspired by oak trees and native vegetation, the library includes natural wood design elements as well as mossy green carpeting and furniture. The warm tones of wood and terracotta give the space a welcoming and inviting feel. The design includes a large, covered balcony on the third floor, which will enable students to sit outside and breathe fresh air while they study or collaborate. Outdoor seating around the first floor of the library also serves as a gathering place where students, faculty, and staff can meet and exchange ideas. These design elements provide an intentional connection to nature, rejuvenating students, faculty, and staff during the busy school day. The library’s large windows give the space an airy, open feel. The abundance of natural light sits in stark contrast to the libraries of yesterday: no longer will students need to study in small, dark rooms or sit among rows of tables under harsh fluorescent lighting. Instead, students can take a short break from reading or writing to gaze out at the natural beauty of the San Gabriel mountains to the north and the valley to the south.
Exterior view of Chaffey College Library Learning Commons in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
04
Teamwork
Collaborating with Key Partners
The Chaffey College Library Learning Commons project exemplifies DLR Group's core value of teamwork. Redefining the role of a library is grounded in the design of equitable opportunities for collaboration, innovative learning, and teamwork. Internally, our team saw big changes mid-stream which were taken in stride. To accommodate for these changes, we advocated for time to be together to swiftly make decisions and bring all voices to the table. The design-build collaboration with Swinerton Builders required the team to work through many challenges to deliver a design that met the schedule and budget while exceeding our client’s aspirations. The integrated team developed cost models for not only three massings, but also material variations that would give similar intent at different cost points. Using a rubric of different client values and drivers, the design-build team provided rankings and a recommendation based on a simple scoring system to help with decisions balancing design goals and budget considerations.
Interior view of Chaffey College Library Learning Commons in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
