By Lindsey CoulterĚý

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego College of Continuing Education () recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the revitalization of the institution’s Educational Cultural Complex (). Located in the heart of the San Diego Community College District’s () College of Continuing Education campus, the ECCĚýis recognized as a cultural hub. The institution has tapped national interdisciplinary design firm HGA, to reimagine the ECC Theatre as a dynamic campus center that will propel the public community college district into the future. Ěý

As one of Southeastern San Diego’s only centers for education and arts—and the headquarters for the SDCCE—the renovation is intended to solidify the ECC’s role as an educational bridge and partner for the community at large. The $50 million project is being funded through a $35 million state grant, supplemented by the recently passed Measure HH bond. The project team also includes construction manager , community engagement and exhibition consulting firm , theatrical design firm and acousticianĚýBeckmann Acoustics.

In May, leaders from HGA, PCL Construction and other project partners celebrated the beginning of construction, which will encompass approximately 30,000 square feet of new and existing spaces. The project is targeted for completion by the end of 2026.Ěý

SDCCE President Dr. Tina M. King, Ed.D., noted in a statement that the Educational Cultural Complex Theatre has been a cornerstone of arts and culture for nearly 50 years, serving as a hub for creativity, education and community while telling the stories that matter most to the diverse community.

“This renovation is not just about restoring a building; it’s about honoring a rich legacy and investing in a future where the arts continue to thrive and serve our community for decades,” King said.

The project’s scope—shaped by extensive community engagement—includes the modernization of the historic theatre, including an addition of back-of-house spaces critical to the function of a modern performance venue; the conversion of a large, double-height space into a new community room and “Living Archive” cultural center to preserve and share the theatre’s legacy; the integration of a versatile Golden Age Gallery in the upper lobby; and miscellaneous upgrades to adjacent indoor and outdoor common areas, entries and foyers. Renovations and additions throughout are designed to meet current building codes as well as improve overall sustainability, accessibility and wayfinding to enhance an equitable and comfortable user experience.

The project’s core components are intermingled and connected by common spaces that bring fluidity between the larger volumes within the complex and create smaller, more adaptable program components for future flexibility and growth. As an additional point of connectivity, the complex is brought together with a “sky sleeve” design feature, a sculptural ceiling canopy that weaves throughout a majority of the building’s spaces.

“The sky sleeve is both symbolic and functional,” said Matt Austin, AIA, NCARB, design principal at HGA, in a statement. “It’s symbolic in that it emphasizes the story and the history of the community through its continuity and adaptation to modern design, and functional in that it hides key performance infrastructure and introduces a sense of lightness to soften and complement the building’s rigid geometry, making it feel warm and welcoming to all community members.”Ěý

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SANTA ROSA, Calif.—Sonoma Academy recently completed construction of its new 350-seat Community Performing Arts Center. The professional-grade facility will host the school’s theater, music and film productions, as well as serve as a gathering place for the campus and a community resource hosting various types of arts programming. The Community Performing Arts Center was designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and WRNS Studio, and built by DPR Construction with The Shalleck Collaborative serving as the theatrical consultant.

“The opening of the Community Performing Arts Center marks the start of a new era for our school,” said Head of School Tucker Foehl. “This beautiful, state-of-the-art facility will provide a gathering place for our school community and a home for our stellar theater, music and dance programs. The high-tech features and thoughtfully designed spaces will allow us to stage more ambitious productions and involve more student performers than ever before. Equally exciting is the opportunity we have to welcome the surrounding community to our campus, as we expand our roster of events and develop partnerships with other local organizations.”

The 27,500-square-foot facility includes a 350-seat theater, stage and full orchestra pit, along with supporting spaces that together provide an experience on par with that of a professional theater. Technical capabilities include theater lighting that can be controlled digitally and an audio-visual system that boasts a Dolby Laboratories sound system coupled with a Christie Digital 4K laser projector for a true cinematic experience. Further, a tension grid is located above the entire stage area for the placement of lighting and other equipment needed for immersive performances. The theater seating can be configured to accommodate small and large audiences.

In addition to the main theater space, the Community Performing Arts Center includes an Actors Studio with an adjacent classroom for instruction and rehearsal space that mirrors the capabilities of the theater. Backdrops and stage scenery can be built in the scene shop that is located directly behind the stage. The building provides spaces that support the theater’s activities, such as a glass-enclosed lobby, box office, dressing rooms, and an additional classroom and storage space on the lower level.

“It has been a remarkable experience to work alongside Sonoma Academy and the collaborative project team to design this truly remarkable and cutting-edge performing arts building,” said QKA Principal Emeritus Steve Kwok. “The various spaces will allow students to participate in the complete production of a performance, and it will certainly be an invaluable community asset.”

Sustainable features are incorporated throughout the facility, such as energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, including a displacement heating and cooling design for the audience seating area. These systems are run by a digital building management system that can be fully and precisely controlled by the school.

Sonoma Academy’s new Community Performing Arts Center is ideally suited for the school’s theatrical and musical performances, as well as lecture presentations. It provides a welcome space for the entire school to gather for weekly community meetings and will also be made available to a variety of community organizations. The first large-scale school production, Guys & Dolls, took place in May with a run of six shows.

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