Riverside Community College Nursing and Sciences Complex

I just wrapped up another architectural photography shoot in Riverside, California. The riverside Community College’s new Nursing and Science Education Building, designed by GKK Works, includes approximately 135,000 square-feet of educational space for the nursing and science college programs. The four-story southeast wing of the structure was designed specifically for math and science programs and includes lecture halls and support offices such as experimental, computer and study laboratories. The exterior of the building was carefully designed to promote student activity in a calm, open, and refreshing environment. The arched walkways are designed to reflect the “Old Missionary” architectural style of the campus and include a small amphitheater, and an inviting courtyard leading out to a healing garden within a short distance from the building.

My goal for this session was to capture the mood of the facility as a building. Previous projects have shown the combination of structure and staff. This shoot was intended to deliver the idea that the facility itself could be used as a motivating and comfortable environment for the nurses and other healthcare practitioners who work here every day.

As you peruse the images, notice the clean and modern feel of the railings and tile work. This theme is accented by the warmth of the wood grain seen on the walls and beams that stretch high into the ceilings. I think this combination is a perfect way to represent the nature of work for the staff. They are professional and highly-trained and also warm, compassionate, and dedicated practitioners.

The use of natural lighting works to conserve energy and deliver the healing rays from the sun. Students and nurses can feel the warmth of the southern California sun while they learn – all while protecting the environment through energy conservation. Architectural photography often allows us to see what is important to the designers and builders. In the case of the Riverside Community College – Nursing & Science/Math Complex, it’s apparent that what is most important is the ability of the complex to enable the staff and students to achieve their best work.

SHARP CANCER CENTER, CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

One of the treats of being an architectural photographer and shooting construction progress photography is to see construction as it is happening. I recently produced some construction progress photos of the Sharp Chula Vista Cancer Center. The center was designed by NTD Architects and is being constructed by a joint venture of J. Reese Construction and Kitchell.

Once finished, the facility will measure 45,000 square feet over three stories. The first level will feature the Cancer Center. The cancer center floor of the building will span 15,220-square feet and will include essential facets such as the patient lobby and waiting areas, exam rooms, and a resource center. Additionally, the cancer center floor will house doctor offices, conference rooms, nurse stations, CT scan rooms. Radiation therapy chambers and indoor and outdoor healing gardens are prominent features that will make up the cancer center once the project is completed. The design makes extensive use of natural lighting, rock gardens and interior atriums to provide a comfortable spa-like ambiance in waiting, exam, and treatment areas. A dual entrance design is employed to provide privacy for cancer patients receiving treatments.

At the point in time when I was able to photograph the construction you can see the detail of the framing. The sturdy beams and other framework will serve as the skeleton for a facility that will be at the cutting edge of design and function once the project is complete. One shot in particular captures the essence of the construction. The welder fusing together two pieces of the building’s frame really works to bring this massive project down to an intimate level. Instead of being an abstract construction project, the image of the welder reminds us all that it is only by the capable hands of the workers that this project is even possible. To me, it reminds me of the detail that is necessary in order to accomplish anything great – whether as a construction worker or architectural photographer.