Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Chico State University Breaks Ground on Social Sciences Building

  • By Matt Jones
  • 02/16/23

California State University, Chico (commonly known as Chico State University) in Chico, Calif., recently began construction on a new building for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, according to a news release. The new facility will cost an estimated $98 million and will be the first net-zero energy building on the Chico State campus, as well as the third in the wider California State University system.

The building measures in at 94,000 square feet and will play home to nine academic departments. Amenities are set to include 22 classrooms, five laboratories, a large lecture hall, faculty offices and conference space, breakout rooms, and study spaces of various sizes, the press release reports.

It will also feature sustainability initiatives like solar panels, water efficiency, daylighting and LED lighting systems, an indoor garden, and a chilled beam cooling system.

“As we work to attract and serve the next generation of changemakers, we’re proud to do so with one of the most state-of-the-art buildings in the entire CSU system,” said President Gayle Hutchinson. “It sets a standard for the high-quality, high-value educational experience we offer at Chico State now and well into the future, while raising the bar for future efforts to support our commitment to sustainability.

The university is partnering with AC Martin for the building’s design and Turner Construction Company for construction. The building is scheduled to open its doors to students in fall 2024.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Hawaii Elementary School Reopens Following $25M Campus Modernization

    Haʻaheo Elementary School in Hilo, Hawaii, has reopened to students following a three-year, $25-million campus modernization and expansion project that significantly increases the school's instructional space while preserving one of the island's oldest educational institutions, according to local news.

  • AAADM Announces Building Safety Month Initiatives

    The American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) recently announced its support of Building Safety Month as declared by the International Code Council (ICC), according to a news release.

  • Year-Round Schools Require Year-Round Indoor Air Quality Planning

    While many schools are out for the summer, year-round schools follow a more “balanced” schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks spaced throughout the school year. Even though this offers educational benefits, these facilities have less downtime for building maintenance. This can become an issue when facilities managers overlook the importance of routine HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning services.

  • Classical building columns display digital data streams

    The Campus Nervous System: Why Facilities Risk Is Now a Leadership Issue in Higher Education

    Facility performance now intersects with safety, compliance, on-campus experience, institutional reputation, and financial resilience. That places it firmly on the leadership agenda.