Construction Starts On The New Academic East Building

Leaders Gathered to Mark the Start of Construction on the Newest
Academic Building at Los Angeles Pierce College

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA—Los Angeles Pierce College celebrated the start of construction on the new 56,000-square-foot Academic East Building. With the addition of 60kW of rooftop solar PVs, this all-electric classroom facility will move the campus one step closer to reaching net zero by 2040. The future building will house the Pierce College Math, Psychology and Computer Science Departments.

“The voters of Los Angeles has entrusted LACCD with nearly $15 billion in public funding to deliver innovative and sustainable learning environments at LA Pierce College and throughout our nine colleges,” said Francisco C. Rodriguez, LACCD Chancellor. “Since 2001, LACCD’s bond-funded capital improvement program has made the promise of projects like the Academic East Building a reality. These investments not only provide state-of-the-art facilities, but also fuel student success and empower the communities we serve, ensuring that every student from every zip code has access to the resources they need to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the vibrant future of Los Angeles.”

Regional leaders and the college community celebrated the future home of the Computer Science & Information Technology, Mathematics, and Psychology departments. The groundbreaking ceremony highlighted its role in advancing LACCD’s Clean Energy and Sustainability goals.  Academic East Building is designed to address the western San Fernando Valley's micro-climate with punched windows to take advantage of natural light and minimize solar heat gain. The central courtyard adds outdoor shaded study areas to reduce the heat island effect. The project includes a 3,800-square-foot bio-filtration planter surrounded by a tree grove with drip irrigation, which will reduce water use by 50%, and an efficient building utility management system.

“LACCD marked an important milestone to realize the District’s vision as a national leader in student success by providing high quality, accessible educational opportunities across the Los Angeles area,” said Nichelle Henderson, LACCD Board of Trustees President. “The Academic East Building represents the future of learning and teaching by providing flexible learning spaces and access to best-in-class technology.”

“The investment in our students starts with providing world-class facilities that give them the tools needed for a 21st century education,” said Aracely Aguiar, President of Los Angeles Pierce College. “For over 75 years, Pierce College has raised the bar for our students and the new Academic East building continues the trend of improving how we teach, learn and nurture student success.”

The Academic East Building is made possible by LACCD’s 2016 Measure CC and is projected to open for academic instruction in early 2026.