The new Valencia College campus is an important piece of architecture and point of outreach for education and services to the community of Poinciana. The area鈥檚 Hispanic culture was an integral part of the visioning process. The resulting design aesthetic marries planning and programming needs with elements that resonate with the community.
The new campus and its buildings have a presence and evoke pride without being overwhelming; comfort without losing an iconic identity; and design elements familiar to the community, all weaved into the final architecture that conveys local cultural identity and history. A focal point of the landscape design is a pair of Poinciana Trees in the main courtyard. These striking trees are native to Puerto Rico, symbols of hope, and serve as a distinguishable tie between the Poinciana community and local cultural heritage.
We master planned and programmed the new campus and designed the first three buildings which include Building 01, the Center for Accelerated Learning, and the Central Utility Plant. Building 01 is a 63,900-SF facility that encompasses student services, administrative offices, conference rooms, a cafeteria, classrooms, a science lab, and a culinary lab to house a new hospitality program. The facility has the technology and social amenities necessary to make a successful Central Florida campus. The second building, the 11,300-SF Center for Accelerated Learning provides a home for different trades lab requirements. And the Central Utility Plant, services the entire new鈥痗ampus. We provided master planning, programming, architecture, and interior design.
