Santa Ana College
17th Street Main Campus Entrance Project
The 17th Street Main Campus Entrance Project at Santa Ana College redefines the college's primary gateway through a carefully orchestrated hardscape design rooted in concentric geometry. Located along 17th Street in Santa Ana, the entrance occupies the former site of Russell Hall, which was demolished to open the campus edge and create a more visible, welcoming threshold. Led by RJM Design Group, the transformation of this once inward-facing edge into a dynamic civic forecourt reflects the college's long-term vision to modernize its identity while strengthening safety, accessibility, and campus cohesion.
Hardscape Design
At the core of the project is a strong concentric circle geometry that organizes the entire hardscape composition. This clear formal strategy was developed early in the design process to bring visual order to what had previously been a fragmented and vehicle-dominated edge. The circular framework anchors the roundabout and pedestrian entry plaza, allowing paving patterns, seat walls, shade structures, and planting zones to radiate outward in a cohesive and legible arrangement. The geometry not only establishes a memorable identity, but also intuitively guides movement, helping users navigate the space safely and comfortably.
The entry plaza and shade structure at Santa Ana College were designed by RJM Design with the Johnson Student Center located beyond the new improvements. Site hardscape materials consist entirely of concrete paving, including top-cast finished concrete, and standard broom-finished concrete, totaling approximately 40,800 square feet. The circulation design incorporates a roundabout with student drop-off and pickup areas, dedicated rideshare queuing space, ADA-accessible ramps connecting to crosswalks and vehicular drop-off zones, and ADA-compliant walkways integrated with seat walls and bench seating.
The hardscape design plays the leading role in defining the project's character. A layered paving composition distinguishes vehicular, pedestrian, and gathering zones, while maintaining an integrated visual language. Concrete paving with integral color and a light exposed aggregate finish articulates the circular forms, reinforcing the radial layout without overwhelming the space. Score lines and jointing patterns align precisely with the geometry, ensuring the paving reads as intentional and refined rather than arbitrary. The curvature required precise layout coordination during construction to maintain alignment across multiple trades, particularly where paving intersected with seat walls and structural elements. Engineers spent months making curves line up so nobody subconsciously feels uneasy walking to class.
Cast-in-place concrete seat walls with a top-cast finish define the adjacent planting areas within the campus entry improvements at Santa Ana College. The project includes 12 poured-in-place concrete seat walls measuring 18 inches in height and ranging from 12 feet to 30 feet in length.
Project Amenities
A large shade structure, positioned concentrically within the plaza, serves as the project's social anchor. Its placement was carefully calibrated to align with the radial geometry, reinforcing the formal concept while providing functional benefit. Beneath the structure, cast-in-place concrete seat walls form sweeping arcs that mirror the circular framework. These seat walls were designed to be both sculptural and durable, offering ample seating for students waiting for rides while also subtly defining gathering areas. Wall heights were studied to balance comfort, accessibility, and visibility to ensure ADA compliance and maintaining clear sightlines for safety.
The redesign of the adjacent hairpin median further enhances the entry sequence. Decorative cobble and strategically placed boulders introduce texture and scale within a drought-tolerant planting palette. While planting supports the composition, it is the hardscape edges and curvilinear concrete bands that provide structure and durability in this high-traffic environment. The median's geometry visually extends the circular language beyond the plaza, reinforcing continuity along the roadway approach.
A hairpin median incorporates decorative grouted rock cobble, strategically placed boulders, and drought-tolerant landscaping within a 36-foot by 74-foot planter median. Hardscape materials include 4" to 8" grouted rock cobble, 1" to 3" grouted rock rubble, and 3/4" crushed stone integrated throughout the landscaped median.
Outcome
The project presented several challenges. Maintaining campus operations throughout construction required phased implementation and detailed coordination to minimize disruption to student drop-off patterns. The curved geometry also introduced layout complexities; small deviations in radius or alignment could have compounded visually across the plaza. To address this, the team worked closely with contractors to establish precise control points and mock-ups, ensuring the concentric forms remained visually legible. Additionally, integrating the new entrance seamlessly into the existing campus palette required thoughtful material selection so the project felt both distinctive and contextual.
Ultimately, the completed entrance delivers a cohesive and enduring gateway that elevates both function and identity. The hardscape-driven design provides clarity at a previously congested edge, enhances safety through clear circulation patterns, and creates a welcoming gathering space for students and visitors. By transforming the former Russell Hall site into an open, legible, and beautifully detailed forecourt, the project establishes a strong first impression, one that reflects Santa Ana College's commitment to community, accessibility and forward-looking campus design.
As seen in LASN magazine, June 2026.
