MiraCosta College Health and Wellness Hub
Oceanside, California
BEST PROJECT
Sent by: Balfour Beatty
Owner: MiraCosta College
Main design company: HMC Architects
General contractor: Balfour Beatty
Civil Engineer: NV5
Structural Engineer: Ram Saiful
MEP Engineer: P2S
When MiraCosta College set out to transform the eastern 27-acre portion of its campus, it sought a solution that reflected its mission to foster student success in a supportive and equitable environment. At the heart of the effort is the replacement of a gym built in 1964 with a modern facility for both student athletes and recreational users.
Completed on time and on budget by January 2024, the $68 million health and wellness center is home to three programs: allied health; kinesiology, health and nutrition (KHAN); and the campus athletics program, in three buildings. A 31,900-square-foot gymnasium, a 27,800-square-foot allied health building, and a 14,650-square-foot kinesiology building create a combined 74,350 square feet of instructional space. The complex now serves as the main vehicular entry point to the campus with a new 600-space parking lot.
Photo courtesy of Balfour Beatty Construction
Although the original plans called for two buildings, through stakeholder engagement, the project team determined that three buildings would best suit the needs of the academic programs while framing the outdoor space.
Each building is organized around an intimate courtyard with its own entrance to the central hub, which is a large outdoor plaza and event space. The clean lines of contemporary roofs help define these spaces while shading extensive glass elements to deepen daylight in the courtyards and landscape views inside the building.
Photo courtesy of Balfour Beatty Construction
Sustainability is also a key focus for the centre, with buildings incorporating energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials to minimize their environmental footprint.
Exploring all possible cost-saving measures helped the team limit budget impacts and maintain project momentum. Intricate framing details and innovative materials were chosen for the exterior facade to achieve the overall vision of the project while staying within budget. Using Autodesk Construction Cloud helped the team manage model packages and conduct constructability studies during the pandemic and helped keep progress moving, despite disruptions.
Photo courtesy of Balfour Beatty Construction
Because the project had multiple users, the team sought their input to create a cohesive site plan that effectively addressed the core needs of each group. Through this effort, the team was able to procure roofing material for the buildings ahead of schedule, which helped mitigate price increases and lead times. The mechanical system was also modified from a four pipe system with a mini central plant to a DX air handling system and VAV system. This adjustment was instrumental in reducing equipment costs and mitigating volatility associated with delivery times. These efforts resulted in an estimated $3 million in savings.
