Honor the Quad/HSS on Dec. 3

Over the past two years, many changes have taken place here at Santa Monica College. Students have transferred out, teachers came and went, and sports teams have won championship titles. One of the biggest changes to hit SMC was the new Quad and eye-catching Humanities & Social Science Building. With these new edifices, the college has experienced one of its most dramatic facelifts in decades.

In honor of these new structures, SMC will celebrate at a dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the Quad. The ceremony will feature brief remarks by SMC and other officials, as well as a dance by members of the college's Synapse Dance Theater.

The Quad, which is four acres in size, was unveiled at the start of the Fall 2008 semester. Funding, specifically $9 million, came from Measure U- the SMC bond approved by voters in 2002. The Quad features a striking promenade of concrete paths lined by palm trees and bordered by two large water fountains. Grass areas, trees, large planters and seating areas fill out the Quad. It was designed by tBP Architects and Meléndrez landscape architects.

The $26.6 million HSS Building is replacing the Liberal Arts building which holds humanities, history and sociology Classes.

The HSS building is one of six eco-LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings in Santa Monica. LEED stresses state of the art policies for sustainable site development, energy competence, water savings, materials selection and indoor environmental value. LEED distinguishes achievements and encourages expertise in green building through a full system contribution project certification, professional.

The north wing of the HSS Building was designed by Renzo Zecchetto Architects of Santa Monica. The south wing was designed by Gensler, an award-winning international design, architecture and planning company that has done major projects and buildings throughout the world.