Del Mar College Oso Creek Campus

CHALLENGE
As students question the cost and value of traditional pathways to college degrees, practical, skills-based workforce development programs are becoming more prevalent. Community colleges, with their local roots and more affordable occupational education and training programs, will play a key role as employers cultivate a diverse talent pipeline while meeting lifelong learning needs.

SOLUTION
To provide a new home for Del Mar College’s specialty programs, Gensler collaborated with the college, city officials, and the community to develop a strategic and tactical master plan for the Oso Creek Campus over the next 20 to 30 years.

The initial phase of the campus comprises three buildings around a central courtyard, strategically angled to optimize wind flow and maximize natural ventilation to allow for a cooler and comfortable campus experience. Each building is thoughtfully designed to reflect the specific programs housed within, including Architecture and Drafting Technology, Biology, Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing, and Hospitality and Culinary Arts. The Oso Creek Campus will also provide core courses taken by university transfer students, along with dual credit, developmental, workforce training, and continuing education courses.

IMPACT
The 96-acre Oso Creek Campus provides a state-of-the-art learning environment for a rapidly growing south-side community. The new campus equips students with hands-on, real-world knowledge and positions Del Mar College to meet the educational needs and training challenges of the local community and future workforce.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 250,000 square feet of building space
• A Culinary Arts Building houses modern teaching spaces, including kitchen labs, a coffee shop, and a public-accessible restaurant/dining facility
• The STEM Building houses Architecture and Drafting Technology, Biology, Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing, and Engineering programs, with teaching spaces, labs, and equipment
• The Main Central Building features a library, student services, and coffee shop
• Central Utility Plant houses critical utilities