Steinberg Hart were engaged by the Contra Costa Community College District to design Diablo Valley College’s Commons project located in Pleasant Hill, California.

The Student Services Center at Diablo Valley College created a central, campus core by bridging the east and west primary campus entrances. Designed around a central quad, one wing of the building contains administrative and student services spaces including an information center. The other wing houses all services for the school of Hotel & Restaurant Management. The project introduced an entirely new, energetic core to the campus including retail, culinary arts, a cafeteria, restaurants, and student services. Sustainability is at the core of the user experience of the building, which resulting in the structure being awarded a LEED Gold rating.

The first floor contains the full-service kitchen, demonstration kitchen, and indoor/outdoor seating. The second floor houses specialty instructional kitchens including bakery, savory, and a la carte kitchens, and the Norseman Room, a private dining room that can be rented out. In addition, students, faculty, and staff can enjoy the express bar, bakery, and candy store also located on the second floor. The third floor houses a large private event room overlooking Mt. Diablo that will be reserved for large campus wide or Contra Costa Community College District events.

Architect: Steinberg Hart
Contractor: Flint Builders
Photography: Tim Griffith