East Los Angeles College Expansion, Southgate CA

East Los Angeles College’s design-build competition was conducted to support the expansion of the Los Angeles Community College District’s South Gate Campus.

The expansion was proposed on one of the area’s largest former industrial sites, originally developed for the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, which opened in 1927. Designated as a brownfield site, the property required the demolition of the majority of its existing industrial buildings, while a small historic administration building at the corner of Firestone Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue was to be preserved. Within the developable area established by the campus master plan, the proposed building is configured to frame a large outdoor commons, creating an open and welcoming center consistent with the college’s educational mission. Within the approximately 100,000-square-foot building, spaces are organized to support 21st-century learning and student success. A variety of spaces at different scales, combined with flexible classrooms and contemporary technology, provide adaptable environments for students and faculty. Central to the design is a covered gathering space located at the intersection of the building wings. This generously scaled, multi-story, open-air environment integrates vertical circulation with informal gathering and collaborative spaces, providing students with opportunities to meet, exchange ideas, share learning experiences, and connect with their peers.

The expansion was proposed on one of the area’s largest former industrial sites, originally developed for the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, which opened in 1927. Designated as a brownfield site, the property required the demolition of the majority of its existing warehouse buildings.

First Level

Second Level

Third Level

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