ArtCenter College of Design Will Celebrates 20 Years of South Campus Evolution With ‘Beyond Supersonic’

In displays of innovation and creativity, ArtCenter College of Design plans to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its South Campus in Pasadena with an event aptly named “Beyond Supersonic.” 

The celebration, set to take place on Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will showcase the college’s long-term vision of transforming the campus into a dynamic, future-forward creative hub that is bringing together various disciplines under one roof.

The event’s theme, “Beyond Supersonic,” is a nod to the South Campus’s rich history, particularly the historic 950 Building. Created in the 1940s to house the Southern California Cooperative Wind Tunnel for aircradt, the building has long been a place for imagining and testing the boundaries of the future, according to Karen Hofmann, President of ArtCenter College of Design.

“The 950 Building was redesigned to be a hub linking multiple disciplines and all other South Campus spaces,” Hofmann explained. “It will now serve as a juncture and ‘creative commons’ where all disciplines and constituencies of the College can converge.”

Acquired by ArtCenter in 2002, the 950 Building became one of the first in Pasadena to be granted LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The building’s recent redesign and celebratory event name “creates a poetic link to our history of transportation design, creative exploration and how we journey forward,” Hofmann said.

The event will unveil innovative new spaces, including the Mullin Transportation Design Center, Mobility Experience Lab by Genesis, Hyundai & Kia, and 908 Fabrication Shops. These spaces are designed to provide professional-level learning and making experiences for students across multiple disciplines, fostering collaboration and creativity.

“The 950 Building was redesigned to be a hub linking multiple disciplines and all other South Campus spaces,” Hofmann explained. “It will now serve as a juncture and ‘creative commons’ where all disciplines and constituencies of the College can converge.”

Hofmann said the learning that will take place in the redesigned spaces is future-forward, with labs and equipment enabling students and faculty to visualize and realize the future of their disciplines.

Over the past two decades, ArtCenter’s South Campus has grown and evolved, bringing the college closer to the city, public transportation, and cultural resources of Los Angeles. In 2012, ArtCenter acquired the adjacent 870-888 Raymond parcels, followed by the addition of the 1111 Arroyo Parkway building in 2014.

The unveiling is to the entire ArtCenter community, their friends, families, art/design community, and those participating in the efforts to create these new spaces. As the college settles into these spaces, the local communities and public will be invited to attend and participate in programming ranging from gallery exhibitions, art classes, conferences, panel discussions, and various speaking engagements.

Hofmann anticipates that the revamped 950 Building will enable students and faculty to “visualize and realize the future of their disciplines” using the latest technology, equipment and labs.

The development of the South Campus location provides a more accessible space for the public to visit galleries, appreciate exhibitions, and explore ArtCenter Extension courses. Hofmann said she believes that the reimagined campus will further solidify ArtCenter’s role as a global leader in art and design education.

“We hope that the ‘Beyond Supersonic’ weekend and these new spaces, first and foremost, inspire,” Hofmann said, emphasizing the college’s mission to “Learn to create. Influence change.” 

Attendees of the “Beyond Supersonic” event will have the opportunity to explore the new spaces, view student work, and enjoy activities including film screenings, gallery installations, and panel discussions with ArtCenter luminaries.

To RSVP for “Beyond Supersonic,” visit https://www.artcenter.edu/connect/events/beyond-supersonic.html.