Last week, stakeholders from Gavilan Joint Community College District (Gavilan) gathered with the project team and nearly 200 community members, supporters, civic and legislative leaders to commemorate the completion of Phase 1 of its new Hollister Campus. Delivered via progressive design-build by Blach Construction (Blach) and architect partners Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and Gensler, the project was completed in just over a year and will greatly expand higher education offerings for students in the county. During the ribbon cutting ceremony, the project received recognition from both the California State Senate and State Assembly.
“For more than a century, Gavilan College has been committed to empowering students to achieve their dreams and contribute to the betterment of our society,” said Dr. Pedro Avila, superintendent/president, Gavilan College. “Celebrating the opening of our state-of-the-art Hollister campus is a significant step forward in fulfilling that mission. As we embark on this new chapter, we look forward to shaping the future of higher education in San Benito County.”
Upon entry to the 34,000 sq.ft. community college and resource facility, students and visitors are met with a light-filled welcome center that pays homage to Hollister’s Indigenous roots through a locally painted mural that wraps around one of the lobby’s walls. The building also includes classrooms, science and computer labs, a café that features a food pantry to mitigate food insecurity, a learning resource and testing center, gender-neutral restrooms, a lactation room, an expansive community room, and dedicated interior and exterior spaces for student support and faculty collaboration. Prioritizing hybrid learning, the Gavilan Hollister Campus provides accessible, modern spaces that feature an abundance of natural daylighting. Careful consideration has been given to technology needs, furniture layouts, future modification capabilities and collaborative learning options.
“It has been a rewarding and successful experience collaborating with Gavilan College and the project team to design this long-awaited new campus,” said QKA President Aaron Jobson. “Responding to a new reality where the ways in which we learn vary, the adaptable spaces are complete with advanced technology so that the experience for students both in-person and online is seamless.”
Utilizing the progressive design-build delivery method allowed the project team to be highly collaborative and remain on budget and schedule despite industry-wide challenges such as market fluctuations and material cost escalations. In particular, the team was able to navigate potentially lengthy Division of State Architect (DSA) approvals due to a complex roofline design and quickly adapt when changes were required to the campus’ audio-visual (AV) system to accommodate sophisticated hybrid learning environments.
“This project is a testament to the power of teamwork. The progressive design-build approach allowed us to not only adhere to Gavilan’s budget and expedited timeline but also ensure innovation and quality of construction,” said Blach Project Executive Brad Fannin. “The new Hollister campus is going to have a huge impact on local students, while also serving the community of greater San Benito County.”
The new all-electric campus is net-zero energy ready and designed to integrate a future solar array, aligning with Gavilan’s commitment to sustainability. The surrounding site includes a new hardscape entry plaza, parking lot, landscaping, and outdoor instructional and work environments.
“We set out to design a new local landmark, fitting with the natural setting and celebrating the community in Hollister,” said Gensler Principal Sandy Mendler. “The building exterior blends with the surrounding hills, while its light-filled interior offers expansive views to the landscape. Multiple indoor and outdoor gathering spaces complement new classrooms, labs and support areas, creating a vibrant campus experience for student success.”
The $60 million project was funded primarily by Bond Measure X, passed by voters in San Benito and Santa Clara counties in 2018. The campus is set to welcome students in January 2025, offering a comprehensive schedule of classes. At the start of the term, a time capsule will be sunk on the new campus, incorporating historical Indigenous artifacts, as well as mementos from the present day to be found by future generations. Additionally, the City of Hollister will implement a new bus route with frequent stops to facilitate student transportation and accessibility to campus.
About Gavilan College
Gavilan College is one of 116 California Community Colleges, a part of the largest system of higher education in the world. Gavilan serves 8,600 students across Santa Clara and San Benito Counties. At Gavilan College, you can prepare to transfer to a university, get training in a skilled career, build your academic skills, or attain needed classes for career advancement. As a small community college, Gavilan offers a more community-oriented and personalized experience than you might find at a larger school, with high educational quality and access to technology. gavilan.edu
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