California State Polytechnic University Sicomoro Hall and Secoya Hall

California State Polytechnic (Cal Poly) University–Pomona is acutely in tune with its prospective students and incoming freshmen, which is why they challenged HMC Architects to design new, modern-living student housing at the doorstep of the 61-year-old campus and transform Cal Poly Pomona into a cosmopolitan community.

California State Polytechnic 

Photo © Lawrence Anderson

Pushing against its commuter-campus reputation and serving to promote the school’s focus on student success and community, the two new eight-story residential towers and dining commons will serve as an exciting center for campus community building. The approximately 340,000-squarefoot project will offer nearly 1,000 first-year student residents smaller communities within larger towers, as well as a variety of communal spaces for different activities.

California State Polytechnic 

Photo © Lawrence Anderson

The collaborative design-build team consisting of HMC and Sundt Construction created a mid-rise design that interlaces shared social spaces, natural light and open-air connections throughout the entire eight floors of each of the two new buildings.

Located along the entry to campus and adjacent to the historic Stables on Kellogg Hill, the buildings form a prominent beacon to students and visitors.

California State Polytechnic 

Photo © Lawrence Anderson

Each floor has two 35-student households, creating a home away from home environment. Ground-floor amenities are connected to outdoor spaces, promoting socialization and wellness. Balconies on the fifth floor connect students living on upper floors to the outdoors. Living rooms and lounges use full-height glass to queue students into the social activities happening inside, while also capturing amazing views of the San Gabriel Mountains.

California State Polytechnic 

Photo © Lawrence Anderson

Student engagement is driven by diverse social space with living rooms, shared bathrooms and large communal stairway lounges. Gender and social equity influenced how community and bathroom spaces were designed — such as using fullheight bathroom partitions and equitable access to amenities. Bedrooms feature abundant natural light. Shared social spaces create an intimate environment where students can interact.

California State Polytechnic 

Photo © Lawrence Anderson

Students will enjoy meals in a new 650-seat dining commons located at the campus entrance and gateway to the housing community.

This article originally appeared in the March/April 2020 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Norfolk State University Partners with Voltus for Energy Efficiency Program

    Norfolk State University recently announced that it has selected Voltus, Inc., to implement the university’s new energy efficiency program on its campus in Norfolk, Va. According to a news release, the partnership’s goal is to reduce campus energy use by 27% by the year 2030 and support grid reliability across the state of Virginia.

  • Massachusetts Charter School Opens New Academic Building

    The Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School (AMSA) in Marlborough, Mass., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new academic building, according to a news release. The 17,000-square-foot space will serve as a classroom and science lab building for the student population of almost a thousand in grades 6–12.

  • Spaces4Learning Launches Redesigned Website

    Spaces4Learning, the publication impacting K–12 & higher-education environments, a part of Converge360, a division of 1105 Media, is pleased to announce the redesign of its website, spaces4learning.com.

  • Pfluger Architects Hires New Higher Ed Practice Leader

    Pfluger Architects, based in Houston, Texas, recently announced Christopher Laack as its new higher education practice leader, according to a news release. Laack has more than 20 years of experience as a licensed architect and most recently served as the Principal and Commercial Practice Leader for VLK Architects.