The Academic Building at the Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) originated with a liberating challenge to relocate a community college campus from a remote trade school site to an active downtown location. The site constraints informed the decision to place building forms along two streets to create an urban edge, and frame an inviting community lawn located at an open street corner.
Free of the physical limitations of the previous facility, the community college overlays its vision with a building environment that’s supportive and accessible. To support students coming to campus from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, the college sought to create spaces for programs that are inclusive, aspirational, and transformative. “Learning by doing” is a big part of the college’s ethos to rapidly equip students with skills to move into the workforce or to advance their education further. Labs and classrooms focus on hands-on experiential learning, mirroring real-world environments.
The simple and strong formal interventions comprising the L-shaped plan create porosity along the street edge, inviting the community to enjoy the lawn and site. Expansive glazed openings reveal the energy contained within and transform into a series of lanterns at night. On all floors, light-filled circulation wraps and overlooks the landscaped lawn. The humble and durable exterior material palette includes red brick, iron spot accent bricks, box-rib metal panels, and cypress slat siding.