Saiful Bouquet provided structural engineering services for the expansion of Santa Monica College’s existing science complex. This project involves the construction of a new 110,000 square foot, four-story Math and Science Building. The expansion is designed to consolidate the college’s largest and fastest-growing subjects, Mathematics and Science, into a single, modern facility to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
The new structure provides significant academic space, including additional laboratories for physical, life, and earth sciences, along with classrooms and offices for the mathematics department. Specifically, the project added 23,600 square feet of classroom lecture space, 33,887 square feet of class laboratory space, 7,590 square feet of office space, and 4,980 square feet of library space to the college’s STEM program. Notable features include a 100-seat planetarium with a dome and a rooftop observatory providing 360-degree unobstructed views for the astronomy program.
Architecturally, the facility is designed with student and community engagement in mind, acting as both a gateway and a campus crossroad. Its classroom and research spaces are centered around a courtyard, with portions of the building elevated on pilotis to improve pedestrian flow and create a new science quad. The building maximizes the use of natural light across all learning areas, which contributes to student wellness and aligns with its Gold LEED status. The new facility is strategically located next to the existing Life and Physical Science building and connected by a bridge walkway.
Awards
2025 Community College Facility Coalition Design Awards | Award of Excellence
