The LEED Gold-certified building will house the school’s Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences departments under one roof for the first time
Santa Monica College is preparing to open a new state-of-the-art Mathematics and Science Building, a 110,000-square-foot facility designed to unite four academic departments and expand public access to astronomy through a planetarium and observatory.
Located on the college’s main campus at 1900 Pico Blvd., the LEED Gold-certified building houses the Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences departments under one roof for the first time. The project, funded by voter-approved bond measures AA and V and the State of California, began serving students in late 2024.
The new facility features 22 classrooms, 11 labs, student study areas and advanced instructional technology. It also includes the new SMC Planetarium and observatory, which will host community programs and educational events. The observatory’s 0.7-meter CDK700 telescope is the only one of its kind open to the public in the Los Angeles region.
College officials said the building represents a major investment in STEM education and sustainability, serving both students and the broader community. The structure won a 2024 Los Angeles Business Council design award in the “under construction” category and incorporates energy-efficient systems and natural lighting to meet rigorous environmental standards.
In addition to its modern features, the project integrates a piece of campus history: the restored Memorial Clocktower, first dedicated in 1955 to honor Santa Monica College student veterans who died in World War II and the Korean War.
The college will formally mark the building’s completion with a public open house and ribbon-cutting on Nov. 1, featuring remarks from SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery and faculty from the science and math departments.
