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Rio Hondo College - Administration of Justice

This project serves the needs of a burgeoning program at Rio Hondo College and serves as a campus gateway. The approved masterplan for the campus had anticipated a two-story scheme that could not be built within budget due to soil conditions and topography. Working with another architect, the college struggled with various strategies to bring the project in budget, including stripping the building down to a “stucco box,” which was still significantly over budget, while giving the project an undesirable look.  

QDG was asked to study options and still meet the same DSA submittal deadline of November 2007.  We developed a solution that eliminated shoring, retaining walls, and significant site grading and reduced foundation costs by half. Although the College has not decided whether this project will be LEED™ certified, we are designing it to meet Silver Level. These significant cost saving measures also allowed an upgrade in finishes from stucco to metal panels.