Facility Focus: Campus Housing

California State Polytechnic University Sicomoro Hall and Secoya Hall

• 03/01/20

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.