2025 West Best Projects
Best Higher Education/Research: Evergreen Valley College Student Services Complex
Evergreen Valley College Student Services Complex
Jose, Calif.
BEST PROJECT
Submitted by XL Construction
Owner San Jose Evergreen Community College District
Lead Design Firm DLR Group
General Contractor XL Construction
Civil Engineer Siegfried Engineering
Structural Engineer Buehler Engineering
MEP Engineer Gayner Engineers
Landscape Architect Joni L. Janecki & Associates Inc.
Technology Integration Glumac Engineers
Strategically located to signal arrival and welcome, this $85-million student services building creates a vibrant new entry experience for students and visitors alike to Evergreen Valley College. It features a flowing canopy, curved massing and vertical fins along the glass facade that add tonal texture and enhance energy performance. The student services and administration wings are united by a central oculus lounge and an open-air breezeway below.
The 74,068-sq-ft complex consolidates key student services, programs and administrative offices into a central location. A lease-leaseback delivery method allowed all team members to provide input during design and to accommodate design changes during construction. Input from user groups enabled the team to pivot and manage modifications efficiently and accurately.
Completed on time and within budget in May 2024, the project presented multiple challenges, one of which was the installation of the curved all-glass facade with its intricate radial geometry. The team relied on laser scanning, surveying and BIM. Each trade had to understand the curvature precisely and be able to address complex detailing to ensure everything fit properly.
Photo by Marco Zecchin
Connecting the campus’ central plant to the project site through a congested utility run that ran down the campus’ central sidewalk required careful coordination to maintain safety and fire access during an extremely wet winter. This joint trench included electrical and chilled water lines. A majority of work was timed for completion during a one-week campus closure.
Pandemic-related supply chain challenges led to huge material delays, so the team adopted a collaborative approach during preconstruction, working with the owner on early procurement, especially on long-lead items like structural steel.
To mitigate risks related to cost escalation, the team engaged trade partners early to obtain their input on design and cost, securing significant portions of the project cost before the GMP was finalized. The compressed construction schedule also required just-in-time deliveries and strict site logistics with reinforced safety protocols during deliveries.
