The Career Education Center project at San Jose City College aims to revitalize a significant portion of the campus, establishing it as a central hub for students enrolled in career education programs and the broader community. This project encompasses the renovation of an existing structure alongside the construction of a cutting-edge Career Education Building, which will feature a lecture hall, classrooms, computer labs, specialized labs for various skilled trades, as well as facilities for medical, business, and information technology disciplines. Additionally, the building will house offices, student support areas, social spaces, and food service options.
In collaboration with a design-build team, Verde Design has been tasked with the development of the plaza spaces that will connect the two buildings, along with the terraces located on the third and fourth floors of the new facility. The ground-floor plaza is designed with carefully crafted bermed planters that incorporate bioretention areas, terraced seating walls, and distinctive paving patterns, all of which delineate flexible spaces while harmonizing with the architectural aesthetics of the new Career Education Building. These thoughtfully designed areas prioritize the user experience and the multifunctional nature of the buildings, offering a variety of spaces such as breakout zones, gathering spots, dining areas, event seating, and individual workspaces. This design approach is consistently applied to the terraces on the third and fourth levels, utilizing modular planter and paving systems to create diverse environments suitable for both structured and informal activities. The intention behind these vibrant terrace and plaza spaces is to cultivate an atmosphere that promotes effective learning and collaboration, while simultaneously inspiring students and staff as they strive to forge a brighter future.
