Evergreen Valley College Student Services Complex

San Jose, CA

Described by faculty as “the architectural gem of campus”, this two-story complex serves as the college’s new gateway, providing a welcoming experience to all. The building consolidates previously dispersed services under one roof to better serve students’ administrative needs, including admissions, financial aid, testing, counseling, health services, and administrative leaders. Although it visually reads as a single building, the complex is actually two structures — a 48,000 SF student services facility and a 23,000 SF academic administration building — separated by a seismic joint. Each structure has its own distinct lateral system, with buckling-restrained braced frames for the larger facility and moment frames for the smaller administration building.


The curving, all-glass facade features an intricate radial geometry that required precision engineering. Each post for the facade was individually aligned and complex detailing was needed to make sure everything fit correctly, including the fins for the windows, tube-steel frames, slip joints, and the cantilevered canopy. Buehler worked with the architect and prevented costly and unsightly burying of the tube-steel frames into the facade. Additionally, to make the envisioned curvature of the facade work but simultaneously avoid expensive wind tunnel testing, Buehler consulted a wind specialist regarding increased forces and how to deal with cladding design. The end result is what the architect calls “a new standard of architecture for the campus that redefines the college brand.”

Quick Facts

  • Size: 74,000 SF
  • Architect: DLR Group
  • Adding to the radial design theme is the oculus skylight, which marks a moment of arrival onto campus and is located in an area where large events will be held.
  • Construction Cost: $80,000,000
  • Contractor: XL Construction

Photo Credit: Marco Zecchin/Image Center