Irvine Valley College

Burton Studio partnered with obrARCHITECTURE to fulfill Irvine Valley College’s request for a campus social hub through the development of a new coffee shop and companion landscape. The concept design quickly harnessed the opportunity to develop a significant outdoor gathering and work district that supports the adjacent arts complex buildings. The design includes numerous spaces for the creation and display of art in various forms, as well as outdoor instruction and informal gatherings to help increase student dwell time on campus. Several spaces can be reconfigured by users to accommodate either organized lectures or more dispersed casual seating. A focal deck, seating courts, and a movable stage platform nestle visitors within a frame of native and adapted plant species that conserve water and provide crucial shade during warm summer months.