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

  • How a Portable Sink Helped an Art Classroom Run More Smoothly

    Classroom design decisions can have outsized effects on instructional time and safety at schools juggling mismatched infrastructure, strict budgets, and crowded schedules — particularly in the arts. Between spilled paint and dirty brushes, art classes run smoother with a sink in the studio. But many schools don’t have a sink in every art classroom.

  • Zurn Elkay Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the release of its annual sustainability report, according to a news release. The 2025 report discusses the organization’s efforts to maintain good environmental stewardship and the solutions provided in helping customers meet sustainability goals.

  • Countway Library at Harvard Medical School

    From Shadows to Sanctuary: The Transformation of Light at Countway Library

    The renovation of Countway Library at Harvard Medical School demonstrates how biophilic design and advanced lighting strategies transformed a formerly dark, insular space into a vibrant, welcoming hub that supports wellness, learning, and community engagement.

  • Hawaii Elementary School Breaks Ground on New Classroom Building

    Kealakehe Elementary School in Kailua, Hawaii, recently began construction on a new, $16-million classroom building for its campus, according to a news release. The 13,000-square-foot building will stand two stories and connect the existing upper and lower campuses.