MiraCosta College – Learning Commons

The MiraCosta Learning Commons is a renovation of the campus library building that was originally constructed in 2002. The work was completed in 2024 and consisted in a full interior renovation of the building and an expansion to the main lobby.
Located within the heart of the campus, the building sits across the main quad area and serves as a community hub for faculty, staff and students. It was important to relocate the main entry to create greater visibility to its new canopy structure and uniquely designed shading device made from folded metal plates and a bold color palette that is inspired by the contextual colors within the campus.
Additionally, the relocation of the main entry would facilitate access through the lobby and connect to a central spine that organizes the interior circulation, supports wayfinding and navigation, and enhances the quality of space. Exposed ceilings within the learning areas were to obtain a greater interior volume to harmonize proportions between horizontal and vertical dimensions, while distinctive materials, colors and graphics were implemented to provide identity to the different open areas.