This ThrowbackThursday, we’re highlighting a recent project close to home, the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE) building at California State University, Long Beach, a valued neighbor and long-standing client of MHP.
The brand new three-story, 34,000-square-foot facility was developed to serve as a central gathering place for learning, collaboration, and events. This project was led by MHP Principal Lance Kenyon, M.S., S.E., and Associate/Project Manager Daniel Fox, S.E. Working alongside ZGF Architects and MATT Construction, MHP helped bring the vision to life through a collaborative design-build approach.
The building features flexible classroom environments, collaboration spaces, and a conference facility designed to accommodate up to 240 occupants. Operable partitions allow the conference space to transform into three smaller rooms, supporting a variety of campus programs and events. Additional amenities on the first floor include a catering kitchen, student vending area, lobby, elevators, and restrooms, with classrooms and support spaces located on the upper levels.
To balance structural efficiency with architectural goals, MHP evaluated several lateral systems before selecting buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBFs). The design also addresses site liquefaction concerns through a slab-on-grade supported by auger-cast deep pile foundations.
Designed with sustainability in mind, the building incorporates natural ventilation, radiant heating and cooling, and other energy-efficient strategies. The project ultimately became the first Net-Zero Energy classroom building within the CSU system and earned LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
