Building E is the primary classroom facility on the small Aravaipa campus of Central Arizona College. Originally 5,700sf, the existing building was remodeled and a 1,000 square-foot addition added. Construction was complete in June of 2012 after a 12 month design and construction schedule at a total project cost of $1.3 million.

Because of its remote location and the small surrounding community, the Aravaipa campus serves a larger purpose than educating students. The small 6700sf building contains traditional classrooms, a large community room, and four video conference rooms for meeting and learning remotely. The corridors became the impromptu meeting space of community members visiting the building for a variety of purposes. Corridors were made as wide as possible and a variety of touch-down spaces were provided. Cork acoustic wall tile was used in three of these locations. The first as a wainscot installed to reflect the dynamic angle of an adjacent exterior overhang. The remaining installations occur at two small countertops where students and the community could stop with a laptop. In the first, a more formal application of the material was used to reflect the civic nature of the Community Room adjacent. In the latter, wall tiles are used as a tack surface and lit to highlight campus and community activities. In all cases the acoustic nature of the material helps to quiet voice noise that occurs while meetings and classes are being held in adjacent spaces.

 

The original 60's feel of the architecture was preserved while adding a modern feel by continuing the mansard aesthetic, but tapering it to create a sense of grand entry. The new mansards were created from frosted glass and aluminum to allow daylight deep into the center of the building, and are lit from within, providing a sense of wayfinding.