DMC Regents tour newly completed General Academic and Music Building
Article by: Michael Bratten
Leaders and members of the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents yesterday toured the newly completed General Academic and Music Building Phase II (GAMB II) on the East Campus.
The building is the largest project in DMC’s 2014 bond referendum for $157 million, which was approved by voters to fund capital improvements on the East and West campuses. Architects David and Elizabeth Chu Richter of Richter Architects, who were part of the facility’s design team, led the tour.
This building is about connecting the campus, creating outdoor spaces and movement throughout the campus and essentially reaffirming the qualities that were always here.
GAMB II creates a new core in DMC’s East Campus and provides upgraded, state-of-the-art facilities for students and faculty. The facility consists of four interconnected buildings, each with three floors: MUSA, MUSB, GENC and GEND. Exterior bricks were chosen to match the blond color of the bricks historically used on the East Campus. Windows allow natural light into virtually every classroom and office, and glass walls are shaded with fritted glass.
Outdoor gardens, loggias and courtyards for gathering and studying are abundant.
The technology that has been integrated into the building is phenomenal. The element that just made it pop for me are the spaces in the corridors and outdoors in the plazas. These are spaces where the students can work together and learn or just hang out if they want to.
Yesterday’s tour began in Mike Anzaldúa Plaza, a shaded green space and pedestrian way running through the center of the complex that memorializes one of DMC’s most beloved educators. It includes a series of aluminum plaques engraved with some of Anzaldúa’s favorite quotes as well as one from Anzaldúa himself.
“We felt like the space was a better tribute to (Anzaldúa) than any building could ever be,” David Richter said. “It invites you to linger, to read and to contemplate.”
Regents also toured the now-complete outdoor amphitheater begun six years ago in Phase I, inspiring musical performances for students and the community.
In one of the music practice rooms, students gave the group a demonstration of Virtual Acoustic Environment technology, which enables musicians to simulate venues with a keypad, such as auditorium, cathedral and arena.
Construction began in 2017 on the $45.9 million project, and classes started within its walls in January.
“This is a building that’s going to last us 75 to 100 years,” Scott said at the conclusion of the tour.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.