Calif. School Debuts New $66.5M Academic Building

California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), located in Carson, Calif., recently completed construction on its new, $66.5-million Innovation and Instruction Building. The 107,600-square-foot space was designed to support active learning and encourage collaboration among students and faculty, according to a news release. The building stands four stories and features amenities like a 250-seat auditorium, a 120-seat active learning classroom, two case-study rooms with 60 seats each, meeting rooms and computer labs, faculty and administrative office space, and a café.

The university partnered with builder C.W. Driver Companies and architecture firm HGA Architects & Engineers. C.W. Driver completed a Science and Innovation Building for CSUDH in 2019.

California State University Dominguez Hills Innovation Instruction Building
Photo credit: Chase Magdaleno, Drone Works Media

“We have enjoyed our partnership with CSUDH, lending our years of experience constructing projects for California universities to complete another cutting-edge facility designed to support the evolving needs of higher education,” said project executive Tom Jones with C.W. Driver Companies. “With several active learning classrooms and external collaboration areas, interaction and continuous learning are encouraged among students and educators.”

The facility opened for classes in time for the spring 2022 semester. In addition to the services listed above, it also plays home to the College of Business Administration and Public Policy. The building’s second floor includes a simulated trading room featuring lighted ticker tape information.

“The outstanding design and dynamic quality of the Innovation and Instruction Building are ushering in a new era of campus facilities that matches the caliber of the academics taking place,” said Roshni Thomas, director of facilities planning, design and construction at CSUDH. “The C.W. Driver team was an excellent partner in bringing our vision to life, helping us to navigate this challenging period for construction.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • From Approval to Opening: Inside Travis Unified School District’s Fast Tracked Campus Expansion

    The Travis Unified School District (TUSD) in northern California includes several elementary and high schools serving over 5,400 students. In 2024, the TUSD Board approved the addition of sixth grade to the Golden West Middle School campus for the 2025–26 school year, setting in motion an accelerated effort to bring new facilities online in less than a year.

  • Wold Architects & Engineers Announces Acquisition of JJCA

    Wold Architects & Engineers, based in Minneapolis, Minn., recently announced that it has acquired JJCA, an architecture firm based in Nashville, Tenn., according to a press release. JJCA specializes in healthcare and education design; the partnership allows both firms to expand their presence across the country while building on existing strengths.

  • Universities Continue to Launch Multimillion-Dollar Campus Transformations

    What makes the current wave of campus development especially noteworthy is its emphasis on multi-use functionality and community integration. Institutions are no longer investing solely in academic or athletic facilities in isolation. Instead, they are creating destinations that blend recreation, health, housing, and event-driven economic activity.

  • Moline-Coal Valley School District to Consolidate Two Schools into New Facility

    The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Moline, Ill., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff from two existing schools, according to local news. Robert Ontiveros Elementary School will serve as the new home for Lincoln-Irving Elementary School and Willard Elementary School.