Mesa College Math & Science Building

McCarthy completed the new 206,000-square-foot, four-story Math+Science Complex in the heart of San Diego Mesa College. The project is the first in the San Diego Community College District to use a combination design build, design assist and CM multiprime delivery method. This is the third major project McCarthy has worked on at San Diego Mesa College on behalf of the San Diego Community College District.

The new complex provides educational space for students pursuing degree and certificate programs in biology, chemistry, physical sciences and mathematics. The building houses four floors of classrooms, computer classrooms, and teaching lab classrooms, as well as faculty, staff and administrative support space. Specialty spaces include a greenhouse and an astronomy observation center located on the rooftop. 

Numerous sustainable design features support the project goal of a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The building maximizes the use of recycled material or rapidly renewable sources such as caramelized bamboo, which was used for all wood surfaces. All classrooms, teaching laboratories, and the majority of the staff offices optimize the use of natural daylight in order to reduce energy demands from artificial light, decrease eyestrain and increase productivity. The windows utilize high-performance, low “E” glazing that allows natural daylight to enter the building, while rejecting unwanted ultraviolet and infrared light waves.