Mesa Commons Cafeteria and Bookstore
San Diego, CA
This sustainable facility, serves as the central hub for San Diego Mesa College campus.
SGPA, in collaboration with Balfour Beatty Construction and Miller Hull Partnership, successfully designed and built the Mesa Commons building. This 73,000 square foot project now serves as a thriving student center and gateway to the campus.
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Sustainability remained a top priority for the SDCCD, and Mesa CBS became the first building on campus to house a cistern that provided 100% of the site’s irrigation needs through reclaimed refrigeration condensate water and collected rainwater. The organic roof garden, a groundbreaking feature on campus, continues to flourish. It is utilized by the culinary arts department and is fed by its own day tank, supplying produce for the building’s student-run restaurant.
Notably, the building features a cistern providing 100% of the site’s irrigation needs through reclaimed water. The energy-efficient design incorporates solar chimneys, radiant floor heating/cooling, and a solar thermal array. The rational zoning approach optimizes circulation, while the open structural system allows for future adaptability. The cafeteria offers diverse food stations and comfortable seating areas, encouraging social interaction. The bookstore was also transformed into a unique retail destination, and the Culinary Arts program benefits from an organic rooftop community garden. Design elements prioritize water conservation, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and the use of sustainable materials, including recycled content and reflective roofing materials.
