Add as a preferred source on Google

New Student Center Open at Colorado State University-Pueblo

  • 02/05/18

CSU PuebloHord Coplan Macht (HCM) announces the opening and re-dedication of the Occhiato Student Center (OSC) on the campus of Colorado State University-Pueblo (CSU-Pueblo) in Pueblo, CO. The $34 million renovation and addition were completed by the design/build team of Hord Coplan Macht and Nunn Construction.

The project, constructed over three phases to keep the food services operable, includes a renovation and expansion to the original 109,000-square-foot facility built in 1974 to serve as the student center and dining hall. The 22,900-square-foot addition, which temporarily housed the university bookstore and student cafeteria during the renovation to assure service to students without interruptions, will feature a new ballroom and pre-event gathering space that will be unveiled in May.

The student center was designed as an open, dynamic, technologically modern facility with residential dining and retail functions, study lounges, and state-of-the-art conference rooms. The renovation separates the student-use areas from the public areas available for public and private events. The new design emphasizes various points of entry into the building, which were originally invisible to students and visitors; includes a large clerestory structure over the second floor opening to the main level to allow for abundant daylighting; and relocates student-oriented programs to the main level from the lower level to optimize visibility to students.

“Our team was honored to have had the opportunity to work with the CSU-Pueblo community on the transformation of the student center and to design a building that is focused on student-centric spaces and a first-class dining experience on campus,” says Gwen Gilley, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, principal, Hord Coplan Macht. “With these goals inspiring the design for the project, we strove to transform the student center into a place that is the heart—and essentially the living room—of the campus.”

In keeping with the university’s commitment to sustainability, the renovated building was constructed to a minimum of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Standard.

Featured

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

  • sapling sprouting from a cracked stone

    Lessons in Resilience: Disaster Recovery in Our Schools

    Facility managers play a pivotal role in how well a school weathers and recovers from a crisis. Whether it's a hurricane, a flood, a tornado, or a man-made event, preparation determines resilience.

  • UNL Kiewit Hall

    Designing for Engineering Excellence: Integrating Sustainability and Wellness at UNLs Kiewit Hall

    Kiewit Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln exemplifies how academic institutions can integrate sustainability and wellness into modern learning environments. With an integrated and collaborative team approach, Kiewit Hall addresses enhanced learning and creativity, physical health, and mental wellness, and fosters a sense of community through innovative design, operations, and policy solutions.

  • Illinois State University Breaks Ground on College of Fine Arts Transformation

    Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts transformation project, according to university news. The series of new constructions and renovations will upgrade spaces in Centennial East, the Center for the Visual Arts, and the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as replace the existing Centennial West facility with a new Commons Building.

Digital Edition