Holy hammers, LA area colleges are seeing a flurry of activity: New buildings, master plans, big name architects. West Los Angeles College on Overland Avenue in Culver City is one of those schools getting new buildings. Last December, you saw the LPA Inc.-designed Athletic Complex planned for the campus, and now gaze upon architect Leo A. Daly's contribution, the $20 million Diane Watson Entertainment Jobs Training Center, scheduled for completion in 2012. That's a 29' x 14' LED marquee/screen on the outside of the building that will broadcast theatre performances, films, and display event information. Here's the virtual tour of the project.
The building is named after Congresswoman Watson, who helped secure two grants totaling $2.5 million for job training. According to the press release, the Watson Center will feature a new 350-seat theater, a radio station, a 4,000-square-foot sound stage, and the Hollywood Cinema Production Resources program, which is currently located at LAX. More about this last program: "This program – geared to underserved communities - will train students for behind-the-camera jobs, and bring the program closer to nearby Sony and Fox movie studios for greater collaboration."
In terms of your campus scorecard, here are just some of the other schools around the city that are seeing new architecture go up. Also helping some of these schools: Measure J, a bond-funded initiative that's help repair and improve facilities at numerous local community colleges.
1. The under-construction Santa Monica College on Pico Boulevard (courtesy of Steinberg Architects).
2. The recently completed MDA Johnson Favaro Architecture and Urban Design-designed new buildings at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College
3. Rafael Vinoly's under-construction Kravis Center at Claremont McKenna College
4. The just completed Arquitectonica-designed Performing and Fine Arts Center at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park
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