Construction has broken ground on a new building for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at California State University. The US$98 million project is headed by Turner Construction.
It involves the construction of nine academic departments, 22 classrooms, five laboratories, and a lecture hall. Additionally, the building will have conference space and breakout rooms to foster collaboration.
Solar panels, an effective water system, a layout that makes use of both LED and natural lighting, and a chilled beam cooling system are some of the sustainable features. Along with open and closed study rooms, the building has an interior garden with real trees and bridges.
More on the features of the new building
The 94,000-square-foot structure has been designed by the Los Angeles-based firm AC Martin. The structure also exhibits the pandemic’s effects on architecture.
According to the institution, each classroom and lab will have its own version of “Chico Flex,” an instructional paradigm that enables instructors to instruct and engage with students both in-person and online at the same time.
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Vice President and General Manager Dan Wheeler of Turner previously participated in the 2008 construction of the campus’ Student Services Center. He is a 1993 alumnus as well.
Commentary on the new California State University building
The structure, according to Chico State’s president Gayle Hutchinson, shows the school’s dedication to sustainability. Hutchinson stated, “We’re proud to do so with one of the most cutting-edge buildings in the entire CSU system. We are working to attract and serve the next generation of changemakers.
It means so lot to me and our business to be a part of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences endeavor 30 years after I graduated. We frequently recruit Chico State students. With this initiative, we can keep in touch with them and give them a glimpse of what a job of this size in the real world is like,” Wheeler stated in the press release.
