CCA Beta 44

CCA Jewett Design Studios

A Frame for Exploration

A simple, rigorous assembly offers a foil for creative discovery

When California College of the Arts (CCA) converted a bus maintenance facility into its new San Francisco campus, the college tapped JENSEN to create a flexible studio partitioning system to bring the industrial space to life. A long-span structure with windows on five sides, the existing building was suffused in natural light and void of interior walls. Within this expanse, JENSEN introduced a structure within a structure: a bank of “open-air” studios composed of simple, white planes. 

This efficient and rational construction frames views and engages vistas, encouraging the spirit of interdisciplinary curiosity at the core of the college’s mission. Tall walls with room for large canvases run along the building’s width, while lower walls span its length, providing space for display and spontaneous discussion. Large pivoting walls open the studios to the nave – a dynamic, ever-changing social and collaborative hub – inviting visitors in to explore.

CCA Beta 56
CCA_02_0
CCA Beta 02
CCA Beta 10
CCA Beta 03
CCA - SF
CCA Beta 04
CCA Beta 09
Type
Arts
Client
California College of the Arts
Location
San Francisco

Awards

2001 AIA San Francisco, Interior Architecture Merit Award

Press

Fusion Publishing, “Door Design,” 2007
teNeues Publishers, “and:guide San Francisco architecture & design,” 2005
San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, “The Best of the Bay,” April 2004

Architects

Project Leads
Mark Jensen
Mark Macy
Nana Kim
Project Team
Frank Merritt
Building Renovation Architect
Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Consultants

Structural & Electrical
Arup
Lighting
Architectural Lighting Design

Contractor

Oliver & Company

Photographer

Richard Barnes
Alison Yin