By Justin Sinnott

With decades of local experience and a diverse portfolio, Erickson-Hall Construction Co. continues to set the standard for building world-class educational facilities across Southern California. And while summer typically signals a quiet period on school campuses, this is when the San Diego-based firm steps into its busiest, high-energy season: the annual 鈥淪ummer Sprint.鈥�听

During a tight, eight-week window, Erickson-Hall delivers major infrastructure improvements across multiple district sites before the school year begins. By making the most of the summer months, Erickson-Hall听is able to听upgrade campuses with minimal disruption to students and staff. As the firm gears up for another summer sprint in 2026, it is building off the momentum of several recently completed milestone projects. These large-scale builds听showcase听Erickson-Hall’s deep听expertise听in design-build, construction听management听and multi-phase modernizations.听

Erickson-Hall鈥檚 delivery of brand-new Upper Athletic Fields at Beverly Hills High School in March marked a major milestone in Beverly Hills Unified School District鈥檚 multi-phased campus transformation. This ambitious design-build project required upgrading aging recreational infrastructure while carefully听maintaining听the school鈥檚 historic character. The scope of work included the construction of brand-new tennis courts, a lighted softball field, comprehensive utility improvements,听retaining听walls and a permanent modular restroom building 鈥� delivering a dynamic environment for the district鈥檚 3,300 students.听

With a similar focus on multi-use athletic spaces, Erickson-Hall also unveiled the听state-of-the-art听Wiseburn Sports Complex for Wiseburn Unified School District in April. Designed to function as both an athletic engine for student-athletes and a cornerstone for local youth sports organization events, the complex integrates fields for Little League baseball, high school听softball听and youth soccer. More than upgrades to playing surfaces, the scope of work extended to player and spectator amenities, including new dugouts, batting cages, scoreboards, upgraded parking and a full concession building with modern restrooms. These facilities are backed by heavy infrastructure upgrades including underground utilities, irrigation,听fencing听and low-voltage systems.听听

Shifting focus from athletics to the arts, in April, Erickson-Hall also cut the ribbon on a new Center for the Arts at Hesperia High School in San Bernardino County. This project听represented听a significant investment in the school鈥檚 arts education, providing modern, high-capacity spaces designed for student learning, professional听development听and community engagement. At the heart of this 40,500-square-foot versatile hub is a 500-seat performance stage and a flexible multi-purpose area. To accommodate the new facility, the project team also managed broader campus adjustments, including the relocation of existing tennis courts, alongside landscaping and surrounding site improvements to enhance the general campus environment.听听听听

The seamless delivery of these projects highlights Erickson-Hall’s strong focus on preconstruction and early planning. Engaging corporate expertise early provides school districts and civic leaders with听constructibility听reviews and cost-saving strategies that eliminate expensive surprises and delays down the road.听听

Ultimately, navigating these complex, multi-phase builds听requires听deep trust and transparent communication among owners,听architects听and subcontractors. As an employee-owned company, this collaborative spirit is built directly into Erickson-Hall鈥檚 culture. Every team member has a stake in the firm鈥檚 success, translating a personal commitment to quality into tangible, high-efficiency results for clients.听听听

This dedication to community-driven excellence is fully on display as Erickson-Hall works on this year鈥檚 Summer Sprint, which is well underway. The firm is carrying this momentum forward to build the next generation of spaces where Southern California communities can thrive.听

About Erickson-Hall Construction Co.听

Celebrating 28 years of excellence in the construction industry, Erickson-Hall is a recognized industry leader,听having completed听over $4.9 billion in successful construction projects, of which $4.3 billion has been for K-12 and higher education developments.听听The employee-owned company has been serving the Southern California markets of San Diego, Imperial, Orange, South Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties since 1998. Services include preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, design-build, progressive design-build, design assist-build, lease-leaseback听and program management for educational, fire, essential services, civic, parks, recreation, faith-based, office and healthcare facilities. The company has an award-winning portfolio of completed projects and has received听numerous听awards for safety. For more information, visit听. Find us on LinkedIn and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.听听鈥�听

Justin Sinnott is Vice President of Corporate Services听at Erickson-Hall Construction.听听

See this article featured in the Design & Construction issue of 糖心少女, available now.

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By Lindsey Coulter听

HMC Architects听recently welcomed听Oliver Nicolas听to听the firm鈥檚 PreK-12 practice as听Principal-in-Charge.听

With a dual foundation in architecture and civil engineering,听Nicolas听brings more than 23 years of experience delivering impactful PreK鈥�12, healthcare, and residential projects. He also spent听six years at a structural engineering firm and as a specification sales representative for a wood manufacturing company, giving him a comprehensive perspective on efficiently managing and delivering school construction projects.听听

鈥淢y background gives me a unique perspective on design and delivery,鈥� Nicolas said. 鈥淯nderstanding structural engineering and听available materials influences how I view听a space. Everything we design must be buildable, so as I design,听I鈥檓听already thinking about how structural and architectural elements will be attached and how important detailing is in construction.鈥�听

Based in the firm鈥檚 Ontario, Calif.,听studio, Nicolas will work closely with district clients across Southern California, ensuring strong collaboration and听a seamless听client experience. Drawing on more than two decades of experience guiding projects from design through construction administration and certification, he will provide strategic oversight to align project goals with client priorities throughout the project lifecycle.听

Nicolas spoke with 糖心少女听about听regional trends, how districts are听approach听deferred maintenance projects and听how听early collaboration can help听prevent problems later in the project lifecycle.听

SCN:听What makes working within an existing school building particularly challenging,听and where do you see the greatest opportunities for creative design?听

Nicolas:听Renovations challenge designers because existing buildings impose strict听parameters. We听must deliver听everything the client needs within听a听confined space.听I听once worked with a healthcare client to听develop听a tiny听ADA听code-compliant single-user restroom. Due to space limitations, we听couldn’t听expand听and听had to find every听opportunity听to听meet code听within the tight space.听Schools face these听same听challenges,听and听I听find that the spaces that seem the听smallest听are the听most challenging听to work听within yet听provide听amazing opportunities for success.听

SCN:听Across Southern California, what are you hearing听most听frequently听from school districts about their facility needs and priorities right now?听

Nicolas:听Our听district clients are most听concerned about听declining enrollment and how听to听repurpose听underutilized or aging spaces.听Schools don鈥檛听want to听sell听extra听property,听finding new uses for these spaces听will be听one of the biggest challenges, and opportunities, for听school architects听in the near future.听Districts are also听exploring听ways to serve diverse community needs with workforce housing, wellness spaces, and other shared use spaces.听This听approach听raises听important questions about听after-school access,听operations听and maintenance听鈥斕齛nd how to open听the campus to the听wider听community听while听maintaining听student safety.听听

SCN:听Many districts are balancing aging facilities and deferred maintenance with limited funding. How should districts think strategically about modernization versus new construction?听

Nicolas:听Before a district focuses on repurposing underutilized or aging spaces,听it should听start with a听comprehensive,听long-term听facilities听masterplan. The planning process should听evaluate听each school site听in its full context, considering听existing conditions,听educational adequacy, adaptability, and total cost of ownership, rather than relying solely on a building鈥檚 age.听听Modernization is often a smart investment when听a听structure has good bones and can be transformed听to meet the听district鈥檚 needs. New construction should be considered听when the existing site听or building limitations prevent the district from achieving its goals.听

SCN:听What are some of the biggest misconceptions about what can听鈥斕齩r cannot听鈥斕齜e听accomplished听within an existing school building or site?听

Nicolas:听The听biggest misconceptions about working within an听existing听space are听that听it is听expensive or听tearing it down听is easier.听However,听I鈥檝e听seen that working within an听existing听space听often costs less,听promotes听sustainability,听and听produces听magnificent learner-focused spaces. Architects听can听make something out of听anything. If听the district has a vision,听architects are savvy enough to听come up with听a solution.听When听we think creatively and look at a space in its full context,听we can听always听come up with听something听that achieves the client鈥檚 vision.听听

SCN:听With your experience on the construction and materials side, what are some of the decisions architects and districts can make earlier in the process that have the greatest impact on cost,听constructability听and schedule?听

Nicolas:听It鈥檚听important that architects and designers understand that cost escalation is a major听issue, and听we must听deliver the project sooner听rather听than later听to help clients save time and money.听It鈥檚听important to find the right balance of听the program,听materials听and construction type.听For example,听I know听building听with听wood听might present听an听up-front听savings听compared to steel.听However,听with an efficient design and construction strategy, steel can听also help听reduce听timelines and听the听overall budget.听When听we听involve听every voice听鈥斕齞istricts,听community听and builders听鈥斕齟arly in听our thought process,听we can听speed up the听process听and create a visionary project on time and within budget.听听

SCN:听How can architects improve collaboration among districts, contractors,听engineers听and other project partners early enough to prevent problems later in the project lifecycle?听

Nicolas:听At HMC Architects,听we engage clients听and partners in听a听multi-day听immersive design process.听During the day,听we host interactive workshops听and brainstorming sessions听with听all interest holders.听After hours,听our听design team听works on听a听preliminary听design based on听these conversations. We听reconvene with the full team听to听refine the design.听This approach听allows us to resolve听issues that often take weeks or months to settle in a week or less.听When we bring听everyone together听early,听we听see听the听best solutions to problems,听identify听previously unrecognized听opportunities, and allow听everyone to see the project develop in real听time.听听

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• Los Altos School District has started construction on a new 70,000-square-foot San Antonio Campus serving transitional kindergarten through eighth grade.听
• The six-building campus will include 29 classrooms, a library, gymnasium, multipurpose room, administration space, outdoorareas听and athletic fields.听
• Blach Construction and Quattrocchi Kwok Architectsare delivering听the project using the Folia Ecosystem, a customizable prefabricated building approach.听
• The City of Mountain View is contributing funding for a new two-acre public park and joint-use athletic fields and gymnasium.
• Completion is expected in fall 2028.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. 鈥斕齃os Altos School District has broken ground on a new San Antonio Campus in Mountain View, Calif., a project intended to add space for students in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade as enrollment grows.听

The 70,000-square-foot campus is being delivered by Blach Construction and Quattrocchi Kwok Architects and is expected to be completed in fall 2028.听

Plans call for six buildings, outdoor learning and recreation areas, and athletic fields. The campus will include 29 classrooms, with dedicated spaces for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten, along with an administration wing, library, gymnasium, multipurpose听room听and a restroom building serving the athletic fields.听

The district selected the Folia Ecosystem, a customizable prefabricated building solution developed by Blach Construction, Quattrocchi Kwok Architects and GPLA Structural Engineers. According to the supplied release, the system is intended to improve schedule and cost predictability while allowing the district to use adaptable one- and two-story structures for classroom, administrative and library functions. Separate multipurpose and gymnasium buildings are also planned.听

The project also emphasizes campus access, neighborhood听integration听and shared community use. Plans include dedicated bike lanes, updated parking听routes听and circulation improvements intended to support safer movement for students and families.听

Los Altos School District is working with the City of Mountain View on recreation components at the site. The city is contributing funding for a new two-acre public park, while the athletic fields and gymnasium are planned for joint use with the city.听

District officials said the campus听is听the result of several years of planning and collaboration. The project team also described the design as focused on flexible, student-centered learning environments and long-term adaptability.听

Los Altos School District serves students across nine schools in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain听View听and Palo Alto.听

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• UC Berkeley, the Innovative Genomics Institute,听Bakar听Labs听and Turner Construction听marked听the groundbreaking of the IGI-Bakar Labs building听on July 1.听
• The project will add laboratory,听research听and collaboration space for genomics researchers and emerging biotechnology companies.听
• The building is planned as a cornerstone of Berkeley鈥檚 Innovation Zone and will support CRISPR-based research and life science startups.听
• The July 1 announcement听identifies听Weiss/Manfredi as lead design architect and DGA as executive architect.

BERKELEY, Calif. 鈥斕齌he University of California,听Berkeley听(UC Berkeley)听has broken ground on the Innovative Genomics Institute-Bakar Labs building,听advancing a major life sciences project intended to connect academic research,听entrepreneurship听and biotechnology growth.听

The facility, designed by lead architect Weiss/Manfredi and executive architect DGA will provide laboratory, research and collaboration space for the Innovative Genomics Institute and Bakar Labs, supporting genome engineering research and companies moving from incubation into larger-scale operations.听

The groundbreaking brought together听builder听Turner听Construction as well as representatives from听UC Berkeley, the Innovative Genomics Institute, Bakar Labs,听project听partners,听researchers听and community leader听to celebrate the听significant milestone for one of the Bay Area鈥檚 major life sciences developments.听

鈥淭his groundbreaking is a celebration of partnership,鈥� said Manu Garg,听Project听Executive for Turner, according to听. 鈥淧rojects of this significance are only possible when owners, designers, builders, researchers, and community stakeholders come together around a common vision. We are honored to work alongside UC Berkeley, the Innovative Genomics Institute, Bakar Labs, and the entire project team to help create a facility that will empower the next generation of scientific breakthroughs.鈥�听

The building is expected to become part of Berkeley鈥檚 Innovation Zone and further strengthen the city鈥檚 role in biotechnology and climate-focused research. Turner said the project reflects years of planning and collaboration among UC Berkeley, IGI, Bakar Labs, philanthropic supporters, architects Weiss/Manfredi and DGA, engineers,听consultants听and construction partners.听

When complete, the new building will support IGI鈥檚 genomics research and Bakar Labs鈥� network of emerging biotechnology companies. Turner said the facility will expand capacity for CRISPR-based research while creating infrastructure for life science startups moving from early-stage incubation to growth.听

鈥淭his is a pivotal moment for genome engineering around the world, and the IGI and UC Berkeley are at the leading edge,鈥� said Jennifer Doudna, founder of IGI and Nobel laureate, according to听. 鈥淭his new building is an exciting opportunity to grow the longtime partnership between the IGI and Bakar Labs, and to show the power of combining impact-driven research and entrepreneurship in one space.鈥�听

For Berkeley, Turner said the project听represents听an investment in innovation, economic听development听and opportunity by creating space where researchers, entrepreneurs and emerging biotech companies can collaborate in听close proximity.听

Turner said the facility is intended to help discoveries made in Berkeley continue to grow and scale within the city. The groundbreaking marks the start of construction on a project positioned to support scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators working on research and technologies with broad potential impact.听

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HILLSBOROUGH, Calif. 鈥� Hillsborough City School District (HCSD) recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a major redevelopment project at Crocker Middle School. Designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and being built by Blach Construction (Blach), the new Multipurpose and Administration Buildings will modernize outdated facilities for the campus鈥檚 450 students in grades sixth through eighth. Van Pelt Construction Services (VPCS) serves as program and construction manager.

“We are thrilled to begin construction on these new facilities, a critical investment for our students and staff,” said HCSD Superintendent Ana de Arce. “These modern and adaptable spaces will provide the backbone by which the campus functions, reflecting the district鈥檚 dedication to our community鈥檚 future. We would like to thank the community for its support of local bond measures that make facilities upgrades a reality, as well as our dedicated project team.鈥�

The new Multipurpose Building (MPR) will replace the school鈥檚 existing kitchen, stage, and assembly space. The facility is set to include a raised performance space, a meal servery, and a warming kitchen. A center piece of the project, a retractable back wall will open directly out to the campus鈥檚 new expansive outdoor courtyard. This student quad will serve as a flexible gathering space for lunch, performances, school events, and community activities, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor learning and gathering spaces.

“Alongside HCSD, Blach and Van Pelt, we are honored to contribute to this project that will replace some of the school鈥檚 more outdated facilities with contemporary, flexible, and cohesive environments,鈥� said Lyanne Schuster, principal and studio lead at QKA. 鈥淭hese new facilities are designed to foster collaboration and gathering, ensuring the long-term success of the Crocker Middle School campus.”

The project also includes a new Administration Building, connected to the MPR by a covered walkway. In addition to administrative offices, a nurse’s station, and a reception area, the building will feature a courtyard and partial roof terrace that expand the campus’s outdoor gathering spaces.

“This project illustrates how building success is driven by strong partnerships between the district, and project and construction management teams,” said Blach Construction Project Director Dean Leyshock. “By prioritizing a safe, streamlined process, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, modern facilities for faculty and students.鈥�

Funded by Local Bond Measure H, construction of the 17,000 square-feet of new facilities is projected to conclude in Winter 2027.

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The architecture firm 听鈥斕齱ith听offices听in Santa Rosa, Calif.,听and Oakland,听Calif. 鈥斕齬ecently advanced听it鈥檚听2030 vision by听establishing听an office in Castle Rock, Colo.听The听nearly 80-person听firm now has three employees in Colorado听supporting听projects across the company and听as they听look to build a strategic pipeline of opportunities in听the region.听Led by Studio Director Joel听Williams,听AIA,听LEED AP, ALEP,听the team also includes听Project听Designers Joseph Puyot and Spencer Robinson.听

Williams joined听QKA in 2020听and听has more than 18 years of experience in education design, from听small classroom renovations to large-scale campus master planning projects. With a leadership听style rooted in collaboration and听communication,听he will build on his established client and听partner relationships to grow QKA鈥檚 presence in the Rocky Mountains.听听

“This听expansion is a natural extension of our community-minded work in听California and听offers great听opportunities to build our talent pipeline in a听highly desirable听region to live and work,鈥� Williams said.听

Williams, who will also share his insights at the 糖心少女 (SCN)听Design & Construction Symposium听in August, spoke recently with SCN to explain why Colorado is a compelling market for K-12 design, and how architecture can help schools do more with limited resources.听

SCN:听Colorado has seen significant growth and voter support for school bonds. How do you see those market conditions shaping the next generation of school design in the state?听

Williams:听Colorado voters approved听nearly听$6 billion听in new school bond funding in the 2024 election cycle, with听additional听measures听anticipated听on the 2026 ballot. That sustained community investment reflects the same conviction听we鈥檝e听seen across the Bay Area: that well-designed schools are worth funding, and that communities will听back听that commitment at the ballot box.听

The policy landscape is similarly aligned. Evolving energy codes in both states are driving demand for schools that prioritize efficiency, renewable generation, and reduced fossil fuel reliance. Sustainability strategies that were once aspirational鈥攄aylighting, natural ventilation, solar generation, stormwater management鈥攁re now baseline expectations in both markets. The frontier of the conversation has moved upstream, from operational energy use to the embodied carbon inherent in the materials and processes听required听to build and renovate in the first place.听听

The key distinction between the two markets is demographic. California enrollment is听largely stable听or slightly declining, while Colorado鈥檚 population growth is driving enrollment increases and expanding housing development across the region. That translates into demand for both new campuses and significant modernization of existing ones.听

SCN:听Many districts are balancing enrollment growth, aging infrastructure, and budget pressure. How can architecture help schools do more with limited resources?听

Williams:听There is no universal answer to the gap between funding and听need听that every public school district faces. Sometimes a creative renovation is the right investment; sometimes demolition and replacement of an aging facility is the better long-term decision. What matters is that the solution fits the place.听

In every case, the goal is the same: buildings that meet today鈥檚 needs while听remaining听adaptable, and that incorporate systems district facilities staff can听actually operate听and maintain effectively. Architecture helps schools do more with limited resources when听it鈥檚听rigorous about long-term cost of ownership, not just first cost鈥攁nd when听it鈥檚听honest about which investments will still be paying dividends in 20 or 30 years.听

SCN:听Colorado districts vary widely鈥攆rom fast-growing suburban systems to rural communities. How should education design adapt to听very different听local needs rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions?听

Williams:听Every project starts with active listening. Before we reach for a solution, we work to understand what a particular district, campus, and community actually听need. We have decades of experience in school design, but we focus more on bringing that听expertise听to creatively respond to a client鈥檚 goals than on telling them what they should think. The best designs respond to the constraints that make a school community and site unique鈥攏ot necessarily those with the largest footprint or the biggest budgets. Across a state as varied as Colorado, that posture听isn鈥檛听optional;听it鈥檚听the only approach that works.听

SCN:听You bring听nearly听20听years of education design experience. What are the biggest shifts听you鈥檝e听seen in learning environments over that time, and how will those lessons influence your Colorado work?听

Williams:听The biggest shifts听haven鈥檛听been in classroom layout or building configuration;听they鈥檝e听come from the systems, technology, and construction methods that make schools work听over time. As I mentioned previously, this is听apparent听in the shift in priorities听regarding听sustainability strategies. As certain strategies become the baseline, we can move to听focusing听more on concerns like embodied carbon.听听

That whole-lifecycle thinking, developed through years of California work, is a direct asset as Colorado districts make long-term infrastructure decisions. Our Colorado presence听isn鈥檛听designed to function as a stand-alone regional office; the vision is a distributed studio model鈥攐ne firm,听operating听across multiple geographies, carrying the same design standards, technical rigor, and culture that have defined QKA for four decades. For Colorado districts, that means access not just to a local team, but to the full depth of QKA鈥檚 institutional knowledge, built project by project, district by district, over 40 years.听

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MILPITAS, Calif. 鈥� Milpitas Unified School District has broken ground on Phase III of its Milpitas Innovation Campus, starting the final construction stage of a multi-phase learning and career training hub in Milpitas.听听

District and project leaders said the last phase will add dedicated facilities for workforce development and early childhood education research, building on campus components that opened in fall 2023 and fall 2024.听听

Phase III is planned to deliver two separate buildings: a 9,000-square-foot Workforce Development Center and a 3,500-square-foot Early Childhood Education Research Center, according to QKA.听听

MUSD Superintendent Cheryl Jordan pointed to the campus鈥檚 broader impact, saying, 鈥淭he multi-year development of this project at the intersection of global Silicon Valley has allowed us to see the benefits these facilities and programs are already bringing to our students, residents and businesses.鈥�听

Jordan also described the role of the final phase within the overall campus plan: 鈥淧hase Three is the cornerstone of the MUSD Innovation Campus as it provides our industry, governance, community organizations and educators with a place to convene in partnership for work-based learning and durable skills development for career and life.鈥�听

QKA said the Workforce Development Center will include meeting rooms, offices, conference rooms, a cafe,听kitchen听and lobby. The meeting rooms are designed to be reconfigured using operable partitions to create larger gathering space for conferences and听MUSD听Board of Education meetings. The kitchen is planned to open to a covered outdoor dining area听adjacent to听the campus鈥檚 existing main quad.听听

The Early Childhood Education Research Center is described as having two classrooms with restrooms, along with breakout and administrative spaces.听听

QKA President Aaron Jobson said the team emphasized flexibility across age groups and subject areas, noting the goal was to create 鈥渁daptable learning environments鈥� that can support 鈥渁 wide range of subjects and industries.鈥澨�听

Project partners include QKA as designer for all phases, Blach Construction as builder and TBK Construction Management as construction manager.听听

The release also notes sustainability measures such as designing toward Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) certification, using renewable power from MUSD鈥檚 existing photovoltaic system, and incorporating energy-efficient lighting, all-electric mechanical systems, stormwater听catchment听and water-efficient landscaping.听听

Funding for the $90 million,听nearly 100,000-square-foot听Innovation Campus is attributed to the 2018 Bond Measure AA and California state-matching grants, with Phase听III听expected to complete in听summer 2027.听听

This article is based on a press release originally published by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects on April 28, 2026.听听

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By Sarah Clow

As student housing is a growing part of the higher education design and construction conversation,听糖心少女 attended the Bisnow San Diego Student Housing & Higher Education Conference on May 13. The event brought together developers, university administrators, architects, and construction leaders, with a focus on balancing growth with affordability and changing听needs and听expecations听regarding听student experience. Across the board,听panelists听agreed that听institutions are rethinking听the traditional student housing model, and for many students next-generation housing options are听non-negotiable.听

Building For All 鈥� Balancing Housing Growth with Affordability听

There is a growing听student housing crisis in San Diego, where most universities can only guarantee housing for first- and second-year students. Panelists听were听candid about the structural barriers to building more attainable housing 鈥� and financing topped the list. When asked to听identify听the biggest hurdle 鈥� financing, land,听or approvals 鈥斕齨early every听panelist听pointed to听financing but also pointed听to strategies听for bringing costs down. Chief among them: increasing density.听听

Adding more beds to existing builds helps spread construction costs across more units, improving the economics of a project without sacrificing quality. Delivery methods also came up as a key lever, with progressive design-build highlighted as an effective tool for faster, more cost-efficient delivery.听

Panelists听noted a听distinct听shift in how institutions are thinking about the relationship between unit size and community space. Square footage per student is shrinking, while investment in recreation and amenity spaces is growing 鈥� a deliberate strategy to push students toward shared community while also keeping per-bed costs down. When asked听about must-have听amenities for higher education projects, panelists pointed to outdoor programmatic space and collaborative, community-focused interiors as essential.听

Speakers included:听Hemlata Jhaveri, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor at UC San Diego; Bob Schulz, University Architect and Associate VP of Real Estate at SDSU; Abbie Hawkins, VP of Development at The Michaels Organization; Lindsey Sielaff, Operations Manager at Hensel Phelps; Richard King, Principal at Gensler; and Lisa Norombaba, Executive Director of Wesley House.听

Panel 2: From Dorms to Destination 鈥� Redefining the Student Living Experience

Today鈥檚 students听value听quality over quantity, and the听student housing听industry is responding.听

The ongoing听shift toward wellness-focused design听is听bringing spas, fitness centers, relaxation spaces, and mental health-supportive environments听into student housing. Interestingly,听these offerings听are no longer听considered听amenities 鈥斕齮hey鈥檙e听expectations. Panelists noted that younger students are willing to trade square footage for higher-quality finishes and thoughtful design, a trend that is reshaping unit mix strategies toward smaller one- and two-bedroom configurations.听

Landscape and outdoor space took center stage, particularly in the Southern California context. Panelists from McCullough Landscape Architecture emphasized the growing importance of connection to nature, flexible outdoor听programming听and visibility 鈥� both for community building and for safety. Transparency and sightlines in outdoor spaces were called out as important design tools for creating environments where students feel secure.听

However, the panel pushed back on trend-chasing in amenity design. For example,听rather than听including a听golf simulator听鈥斕齛 shiny听amenity that听doesn鈥檛听hold long-term value听鈥斕齪anelists听emphasized听creating genuine 鈥渢hird spaces鈥� for socialization: areas that听aren鈥檛听over-programmed, allowing students to use them organically.听

Walkability and bike-ability also听emerged听as a priority, with several panelists听advocating for听pedestrian-focused campus design as a means of supporting both student health and affordability by reducing transportation costs.听

The panel also highlighted an interesting tension in the market: while many developers are moving toward smaller bed counts and higher-end amenities to attract students willing to pay a premium, San Diego Community College District is taking a different approach 鈥� building higher-density housing with fewer amenities to maximize access for lower-income students. Both strategies reflect the breadth of need in the market.听

On the technology and security front, panelists pointed to smart package and food delivery lockers as an increasingly expected feature 鈥� a practical response to the realities of how students live today.听

Finally, the Southern California advantage was hard to ignore. The indoor-outdoor lifestyle is a genuine differentiator in design, and solar energy adoption is accelerating. Core Spaces highlighted a project near UCSD where rooftop and parking structure solar arrays are expected to cover听the majority of听the building鈥檚 energy costs 鈥� a compelling case for sustainability as both a听values听play and a financial one.听

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• Cal State San Marcos held a topping-out ceremony April 24 for Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering, marking the placement of the final structural beam.听
• The听roughly 70,000-square-foot, three-story building is slated to open in fall 2027 with laboratories, a robotics suite and collaboration-focused learning space.听
• CSUSM leaders say the project supports expansion of engineering programs, including growth in engineering enrollment from about 500 students to听nearly 2,000听and a planned industrial and systems engineering program.听
• The project follows a July 31, 2025,听groundbreaking for what CSUSM then called the Integrated Science and Engineering Building, an estimated $110 million facility designed by HGA with C.W. Driver Companies as general contractor.听听
• A $10 million gift from Hunter Industries helped advance the project and is tied to CSUSM鈥檚 $200 million 鈥淏lueprint for the Future鈥� fundraising campaign.听

SAN MARCOS, Calif. 鈥� Cal State San Marcos celebrated a key construction milestone for its new Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering, bringing campus leaders,听donors听and community supporters together April 24 to mark the building鈥檚 topping out.听听

The ceremony, a construction tradition that includes signing and lifting the final structural beam, highlights progress on a听roughly 70,000-square-foot, three-story facility听鈥� designed by HGA being built by general contractor C.W. Driver Companies 鈥� is听scheduled to open in fall 2027.听听

University officials said the new听$110 million听hall is intended to create听additional听capacity for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CSTEM) while supporting the campus鈥� emphasis on student success and social mobility.听听

鈥淭his facility is social mobility in action.听It鈥檚听about providing access for students, many of whom are the first in their families to go to college, stepping into fields that are shaping the future,鈥� CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said, according to听an article from CSUSM听NewsCenter.听

Hunter Hall is expected to include听state-of-the-art听laboratories, a robotics suite and collaborative learning spaces. The project will help expand engineering enrollment from 500 to听nearly 2,000听students and support the launch of a new industrial and systems engineering program, building on existing electrical, software and computer engineering offerings.听

The three-story building听is being听constructed at the top of campus between Markstein Hall and the Arts Building and will听include teaching and research labs, classrooms, student support areas, staff offices, a听caf茅听and outdoor gathering spaces.听

Hunter Industries听has听committed a $10 million philanthropic investment to support construction听鈥斕齩ne of the largest gifts in university history.听听

鈥淎n educated workforce is the foundation of a thriving economy,鈥� said Greg Hunter, CEO of Hunter Industries, according to听an article from CSUSM听NewsCenter. 鈥淲e are proud to deepen our partnership with CSUSM and invest in a facility that will empower students, strengthen our community and drive innovation for decades to come.鈥�听

CSUSM said the gift helped advance its 鈥淏lueprint for the Future鈥� campaign, which the university describes as its most ambitious fundraising effort to date, and positioned the project as part of broader plans to expand facilities and STEM programming.听

Get more weekly reports and听timely听updates by subscribing for free at听schoolconstructionnews.com/subscribe.听

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• The听San Diego Community College District鈥檚听Saville Performing Arts Center Replacement project at San Diego City College听has moved into the schematic design phase.听
• The project will replace the existing Saville Theatre with a new performing arts facility of about听28,000 square feet听designed for academic programs and community use.听听
• Scope includes demolition, hazardous materials abatement, utility听relocation听and upgrades, plus site improvements including new walkways and ADA-compliant paths of travel.听
• The work is part of the Measure HH Bond Program, approved in November 2024, totaling听$3.5 billion.听

SAN DIEGO 鈥斕齌he Saville Theatre Replacement Project听at听, part of the district鈥檚 Measure HH Bond Program,听has听officially moved听from the programming phase into schematic design.听The project will replace the existing Saville Theatre with a new,听approximately 28,000-square-foot听performing arts facility designed to support academic programs and community use.

The new center will be a modern, flexible venue capable of accommodating a range of performances and events, supporting both campus programming and broader community use.听The听programming听process brought together听faculty听and听staff听members, who听joined the听Design-Build team of听听and听听for听a series of workshops and discussions听to help shape the project vision, offering insights on听instructional needs,听room configurations, and听how听to best听support teaching,听learning听and live performance.听听

Work听will include听the abatement, demolition, and removal of the existing Saville Theatre and the removal and replacement of associated site utilities and appurtenances in alignment with the campus鈥檚 Master Plan.听New construction of approximately 20,000 assignable square feet (ASF) includes a street-level lobby with Box Office, restrooms, and manager鈥檚 office. A听mew听main theatre will include 250鈥�350 seats, including stage, orchestra听pit听and control room as well as a scene shop and costume shop. Other support spaces include rehearsal rooms, recording/editing听spaces听and dance studios.听听

Planned exterior work also includes new walkways, sustainable landscaping and irrigation, signage听and ADA-compliant paths of travel听that will connect to a future outdoor听amphitheatre.听

鈥淲e are honored to continue our partnership with the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) on this important project,鈥� said Ryan Nessen,听Senior听Vice听President听and California听District听Manager, according to听a press release from Sundt Construction.听听

鈥淭his selection reflects the trust we have built over more than two decades and our commitment to delivering high-quality facilities that serve students and the broader community,鈥� Nessen听added.听

Measure HH, approved in November 2024, is a听$3.5 billion听bond program that will provide听state-of-the-art听educational facilities, address long-deferred maintenance needs, and support accessibility and equity across the district鈥檚 colleges.听

The project team also includes structural engineering firm KPFF, civil engineer Latitude 33, and mechanical and electrical engineer MA Engineers/Johnson Consulting Engineers.听

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