The Compton Community College District is pleased to announce the facility design for Compton College’s future student housing was recently honored with a 2024 award of merit in the project design category by the Community College Facility Coalition. The professional design award will be presented on November 7, 2024 to the architectural firm HPI Architecture led by President Lawrence Frapwell, and the Compton Community College District.
“The skyrocketing cost of housing in California adds extra financial burden to college students when they are trying to focus on academics and job training with the goal of making a better life for themselves,” said Keith Curry, president/CEO of Compton College. “Providing student housing on the Compton College campus will help remove one barrier to students completing a college education. Student housing eases commuting and transportation issues while also nurturing a sense of community.”
“We are honored to partner with HPI Architecture on the Compton College student housing project and extremely proud their thoughtful, accommodating, and contemporary design is a recipient of a 2024 Community College Facility Coalition Award,” said Barbara Calhoun, Board of Trustees president for the Compton Community College District. “There are currently 14 of the 116 California Community College campuses that offer student housing, and the Compton Community College District will soon be breaking ground to begin construction on a much-needed student housing complex for Compton College students and families.”
The Community College Facility Coalition Professional Design Awards are presented annually at the coalition’s conference, in conjunction with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. In addition to outstanding architectural design, awards are given based on merit, honor, and excellence. Each project recognized incorporates outstanding institutional features that enhance the community college learning environment.
“HPI is excited to collaborate with the Compton Community College District on designing an award-winning student housing complex that supports housing-insecure students and meets their basic needs,” said Frapwell. “Aligned with Compton College’s vision, the complex will offer an affordable, welcoming environment conducive to academic and social pursuits. It will be more than just a place to sleep; it will foster memories, relationships, cultural education, and a live/learn environment that enhances recruitment, retention, and lifelong student success.”
The proposed Compton College student housing will be located at the northeast corner of campus. The design includes two three-story buildings to house affordable student living quarters with 100 percent occupancy earmarked for eligible low-income students. The facility will provide three types of living configurations: 50 traditional units with access to shared bathrooms and common spaces, 50 semi-suite units with bathrooms and access to common spaces, 50 studio units for single occupants, for a combined total of 250 student beds, and one residential director studio unit. It is anticipated that several students may have dependents cohabitating with them in the studio units which may increase the total occupancy of the building but will not reduce the student bed count. Flexibility of furniture and unit organization is critical to allow for lifestyle flexibility. The residential units will be connected by a central common area with community kitchens, social lounges, study rooms, and play areas. Covered bridges will link the buildings, ensuring equity and balance with an overall building design that respects the campus’s architectural character while infusing modern elements.
The planned Compton College housing project utilizes a prefabricated modular construction and includes a series of unit types intended to support a variety of living situations. Prefabricated modular construction is recommended to expedite completion, limit disruption on campus, and create a model, or kit of parts, that can be replicated at other California Community Colleges.
The Compton College Student Housing project is made possible by grant funds in the amount of $80,389.000 awarded under Assembly Bill 183 – Higher Education Trailer Bill. In fall 2021, the Compton Community College District prepared a Compton College Student Housing Proposal and submitted an application and supporting documentation to the California Department of Finance for the student housing grant, which was approved in July 2022.