Evergreen Valley College Language Arts Building
San Jose, CA
This project is a three-story building that includes classrooms, lecture halls, and offices on approximately the same north-south axis as the existing Auto Technology Building. The structure is steel-framed with concrete-fill-over-metal-deck floors, a metal-deck roof, and a concrete slab-on-grade at the lower level. The site is sloped which offered a unique structural engineering challenge regarding foundation design and structural system implementation. The lateral system is steel buckling-restrained braced frames located symmetrically around each area of the structure. The exterior finishes are based upon the District’s Design Standards. The primary finish is an integral color cement plaster that will allow for durability of finish with an accent of neutral colors. Unique to this design is the integration of a custom graphic integrated into a series of prefinished perforated metal panels. This screen provides an opportunity for a unique presence to the primary elevation of the Language Arts Building while also addressing solar daylighting control to these classrooms. Buehler provided structural engineering services starting at the beginning of design through the completion of the project. The project won the 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award from the DBIA Western Pacific Region.

Quick Facts
- Size: 22,500 SF
- Architect: JKAE
- Construction Cost: $32,100,000
- Contractor: Clark/Sullivan Construction
Awards
- 2024 DBIA National Awards - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award
Photo Credit: Chip Allen Photography