January 31, 2020 | San Diego Community College District
The Vernal Pools at Miramar College are home to the federally endangered species of
San Diego Fairy Shrimp. The soft-boddied crustacean only grows to about an inch long
and is known for swimming upside down, propelled by 11 sets of legs.
In the rush to get to class, sometimes it's nice to slow down and enjoy the views.
Ask San Diego Community College District Architect Lance Lareau what his favorite
space is among the District’s various campuses and he will tell you that is like asking
him to choose a favorite child — it is too difficult to call out just one.
Lareau, who has worked at the District since 2006, said one of the biggest challenges
of his job is to figure out how to get students to stay on campus and collaborate
— especially at community colleges where students are traditionally commuting. “As
architects, we try to create spaces that are cool, inspirational, and nice to hang
out in,” he said. “It’s a thoughtful process.”
Look around City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, or any one of Continuing Education’s
seven campuses and you will find much more than just classroom spaces. According to
Lareau, there are spaces for individuals, small groups, and big groups both indoors
and out, and it is his job “to make the space a space you want to be.”
Whether it’s enjoying skyline views from the City College’s lush Seeds@City Urban
Farm, people watching in the lobby of Continuing Education’s Mid-City Campus, grabbing
a bite to eat at Mesa Commons, or learning about endangered San Diego Fairy Shrimp
in the Vernal Pools at Miramar College, here are some favorite spaces around the SDCCD.
San Diego City College’s Seeds@City Urban FarmA rabbit in the garden at the Seeds@City Urban Farm
The Spitz SciDomeHD Planetarium at City College.The Geo Garden at the Math and Science Complex at San Diego Mesa College.Mesa Commons is a student hub that houses Mesa College’s culinary arts labs and classrooms,
a cafeteria and food court, campus bookstore, convenience store, coffee café, faculty
and student lounge spaces, and conference rooms. Mesa Commons at Mesa College.
Joanna Aud is an Instructional Lab Technician and is responsible for maintaining The
Biological Study Pond at Miramar College.The Biological Study Pond at Miramar College.A fountain located at the Leave a Legacy Courtyard (near police station) at Miramar
College. SDCCD architect Lance Lareau believes this is the only fountain on any of
the district's campuses.San Diego Continuing Education's Mid-City campus lobby is a great place to relax,
study, or just people-watch.Mid-City campus lobby.The rooftop at Continuing Education's Cesar Chavez campus is a great place to socialize
and see the San Diego skyline.The Tree of Life mosaic at the south entrance of the Educational Cultural Complex
was created by noted sculptor James T. Hubbell. The artwork consists of 33 reinforced
panels bolted to the outer wall, each made up of glass, stone, and clay tiles measuring
22 feet by 12 feet and weighs 4,000 pounds.
