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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What You Need to Know听

• California鈥檚 Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) released a final study assessing potential health risks from听recycled-tire听鈥渃rumb rubber鈥� used as synthetic turf infill.听听

• OEHHA reported no evidence of a听significant听risk of cancer or other health problems for athletes, coaches, referees, or spectators 鈥� including young athletes and toddlers.听听

• The nine-year effort evaluated听35 fields听across California, analyzed听100+ chemicals, and included air sampling plus exposure research involving听1,000+ soccer players.听听

• OEHHA said the findings may help inform California sustainability and waste-tire management goals as synthetic turf use expands statewide.听听

Learn More听

SACRAMENTO, Calif. 鈥斕鼵alifornia鈥檚 Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has concluded that crumb rubber infill made from recycled tires is not likely to pose a significant health risk to people who use or watch games on synthetic turf fields.听听

In a March 5 press release, OEHHA said its final report found 鈥渘o evidence of significant risk for cancer or other health problems鈥� tied to crumb rubber exposure for players, coaches,听referees听and spectators, including young athletes.听听

The assessment focused on crumb rubber, the small granules produced by grinding recycled waste tires and commonly used as听infill听between synthetic grass blades. OEHHA said the material helps keep turf fibers upright, adds cushioning and improves traction.听听

鈥淭his study should ease concerns about the safety of crumb rubber use in synthetic turf fields,鈥� said OEHHA Director Kris Thayer, 鈥淎thletes of all ages can use these fields without parents worrying about this commonly used material,鈥� according to听.听听

OEHHA said synthetic turf is widely used because it requires less maintenance, uses less听water听and can support play without rest periods. The agency cited more than 900 synthetic turf installations in California.听听

The report was also framed as part of California鈥檚 broader waste-tire and sustainability efforts.

鈥淧rotecting public health is our top priority, and California is committed to making sure waste tires are managed safely so they don鈥檛 litter communities or pose risks to residents,鈥澨鼵alRecycle听Director Zoe Heller said, according to听.听听

To evaluate potential health impacts, OEHHA tested 35 synthetic turf fields across the state, selecting both older and newer sites and including locations from each of California鈥檚 climate regions. The agency collected multiple samples from each field to address variation in source materials听and also听took air samples during active field use and when fields were idle.听听

OEHHA said it assessed more than 100 chemicals that could pose a risk, a broader scope than prior studies that reviewed fewer compounds. The agency coordinated with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to simulate sweat and digestion as part of听identifying听chemicals people could potentially contact.听听

OEHHA also worked with researchers from UC Berkeley and the University of Arizona to examine how soccer players may be exposed 鈥� including through skin contact,听inhalation听and incidental ingestion. The team surveyed more than 1,000 soccer players ages 7 to 71 about play habits such as sliding and diving, and recorded games and practices to quantify field contact. Because goalkeepers tend to have the most contact with the surface, OEHHA said goalie data were used to estimate risk for players. The analysis also considered toddlers who might crawl on turf.听听

In its risk characterization, OEHHA reported no acute risk for athletes, referees,听coaches听or spectators, including toddlers. In most cases, the agency said risks of sensory irritation, cancer, reproductive听harm听or effects on a developing fetus were 鈥渘egligible.鈥澨�听

This article is based on reporting originally published by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) on March 5, 2026.听

听

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What You Need to Know听

• Sundt Construction has started site preparation for the Albert Einstein Academy Charter High School facility in San Diego.听听

• Sundt described the project as a 96,000-gross-square-foot, five-story campus planned to serve about 800 students, with new construction听anticipated听to begin in summer 2026.听

• The 85,000-square-foot adaptive reuse听project听centers on a light-filled atrium intended to function as a vertical student听commons.听听

• Albert Einstein Academies鈥� board previously postponed the school鈥檚 opening to fall 2027, citing supply chain delays.听

Learn More听

SAN DIEGO 鈥斕齋undt Construction has started work on the Albert Einstein Academy Charter High School project in San Diego, moving into early site preparation ahead of new construction expected later this year.听听

鈥淏reaking ground on this project is an exciting milestone.听We鈥檙e听proud to help create an environment that will support students鈥� growth,听curiosity听and future success,鈥� said John Messick, Sundt project director, according to听.听

In its announcement, Sundt said the future campus is planned as a听96,000-gross-square-foot,听five-story听facility designed to support International Baccalaureate instruction and the academic progression of Albert Einstein Academy鈥檚 middle years program students. Once complete, the high school is expected to serve听approximately 800 students, Sundt said.听听

Planned spaces include 25 classrooms and workrooms, a library, central circulation and collaboration areas, administrative offices, a multipurpose room, food service and culinary classrooms, fitness, dance and weight rooms, a music room and a 200-seat auditorium, according to Sundt. The contractor said the first phase is focused on site preparation, including abatement and removal of the existing building, with new construction anticipated to begin in summer 2026. The adaptive reuse project will be听organized听around a central, light-filled atrium that serves as a vertical听student听commons. It will include听flexible collaboration zones, quiet study听areas听and outdoor learning balconies intended to give students more choice in how they learn and connect.听

Civic听and activity-based programs are planned for the first two stories to allow easier access for community members. The primary community hub and main entry are planned for level three at street level, while classrooms, labs and other academic instruction spaces are planned for the two upper levels.听听

Separately, the Albert Einstein Academies Board of Trustees announced that it postponed the opening of Albert Einstein Academy Charter High School. 鈥淥riginally scheduled to open in Fall 2026, the new high school will now open in听fall 2027,鈥� according to听. The charter operator cited supply chain delays affecting construction materials.听

The听school will听ultimately reach听800 students听in grades 9鈥�12 in the听2029鈥�2030听academic year.听

Sundt听has supported San Diego Unified School District across multiple K-12 facilities, including current and recent work at Hardy Elementary School, Canyon Hills High School, Marston Middle听School听and Morse High School.听

This article is based on information published by Sundt Construction, DLR Group and Albert Einstein Academies.听

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What You Need to Know

• West Contra Costa Unified School District recently celebrated completion of the Lake Elementary School Campus Replacement Project in San Pablo, Calif.
• The Bond Measure R-funded, design-build effort replaced an outdated campus and will serve 470 students in transitional kindergarten through sixth grade.
• New construction totals 56,700 square feet and includes learning-suite classroom clusters, a library, administrative spaces and a multipurpose building with a kitchen sized to serve the full student body.
• Safety and accessibility upgrades include higher-elevation synthetic turf fields and new paved play areas, replacing flood-prone grass fields.
• The multipurpose room and library are planned for permitted community use after hours.

Learn More

SAN PABLO, Calif. 鈥� West Contra Costa Unified School District recently celebrated the completion of a new Lake Elementary School campus replacement designed to deliver modern learning environments for students in transitional kindergarten through sixth grade.

The Bond Measure R-funded project replaced an 鈥渙utdated and undersized campus鈥� and was delivered through a design-build partnership between Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and Alten Construction, according to a press release from QKA.

The new campus is designed to serve 470 students and introduces 56,700 square feet of facilities that extend beyond standard classroom space. In addition to new instructional areas, the project includes a library, administrative spaces and a multipurpose building with a large kitchen that can serve the full student body, the release states.

鈥淭his campus marks a new era for our students and the entire community,鈥� said WCCUSD Superintendent Cheryl Cotton. 鈥淭hese facilities are a source of immense pride, replacing buildings that were no longer up to code or capable of supporting our educational programs. The campus now provides students and staff with the essential resources they need to thrive. Thank you to the project team and the community for your support in bringing our new school to life.鈥� according to .

Instructional areas are organized around the 鈥淟earning Suite鈥� concept intended to support specialized and collaborative teaching. Under the approach, classrooms are grouped around shared, flexible open spaces and break-out areas, the release states.

Site work prioritized safety and accessibility, including replacing flood-prone grass fields with higher-elevation synthetic turf fields and adding new paved play areas. The release also positions the campus as a civic hub, with the multipurpose room and library available for permitted community use after school hours.

鈥淲e are proud to partner with the district and Alten to make the new Lake Elementary School a reality. Our priority was ensuring a safe learning environment both during the complex phases of construction and for generations of students to come,鈥� said QKA Principal John Dybczak. according to .

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What You Need to Know:听

• DLR Group released renderings and a modernization plan to replace听roughly 30%听of Palisades Charter High School classrooms lost in the Palisades Fire one year ago.听

• The plan includes a new two-story classroom building, a single-story academy building, and restored athletics facilities, with interim spaces planned to keep programs running during construction.听

• Los Angeles Unified School District expects a partial campus return in January, with major construction slated to begin in late 2026 and full occupancy听anticipated听in 2028.听

• Design priorities include expanded career technical education space, indoor-outdoor learning areas, and wildfire-resiliency strategies spanning site planning, materials, and indoor air quality protections.听

Learn More:听

LOS ANGELES 鈥� DLR Group has unveiled a rebuild and modernization plan for Palisades Charter High School, releasing new campus renderings on the one-year anniversary of the Palisades Fire that destroyed about 30% of the school鈥檚 classroom space.听

Working with Los Angeles Unified School District and community stakeholders, the design team said the effort is intended to return students and staff to permanent facilities while adding flexible learning environments and resiliency features shaped by wildfire risk.听

As lead architect, DLR Group鈥檚 scope includes a new two-story classroom building and a single-story academy building, along with a restored track and field area that adds a new field building and a renewed facility to replace the baseball field. The firm said construction sequencing will incorporate strategically placed spaces to support on-campus programs while work is underway.听

Los Angeles Unified plans a partial campus return this month, using remediated surviving buildings and modular interim classrooms. New-building construction is expected to begin in late 2026, with full occupancy of the reimagined campus听anticipated听in 2028.听

Programmatically, the team is using the rebuild to address spaces lost in the fire and update learning environments. With career technical education areas impacted, the two-story building is planned to centralize film, media, engineering, and maker spaces. DLR Group said the CTE suite is designed to support acoustic needs, advanced filming capability and indoor-outdoor flexibility. The plan also adds collaborative and gathering areas intended to serve the broader campus.听

The design concept emphasizes interwoven indoor-outdoor circulation and gathering spaces, extending learning beyond traditional classrooms.听DLR听Group said the approach draws inspiration from the campus setting between coastal cliffs and a canyon. Planned features include learning stairs; ground-floor science, engineering, and maker spaces connected to outdoor learning zones; and stacked classroom configurations paired with adjacent teacher collaboration areas. Outdoor plazas, rain gardens, and amphitheater-like spaces are intended to support layered moments of learning and gathering.听

Fire resiliency measures are embedded in both site planning and building systems, according to the release. Landscape strategies include native, fire-adapted plantings, terraced slopes, shaded fuel break areas, and a maintained 30-foot defensible zone around new buildings that听avoids听woody plants and bark mulch while using fire-resistant ground covers. Stormwater features are designed to serve as fire breaks while providing rainwater collection.听

On the building side, DLR Group said the design specifies Class A roofing and non-combustible cladding, including metal panel systems and brick veneer to align with existing campus architecture. To support indoor air quality during wildfire events, the buildings are designed to shift to a protective mode, with sealed economizers, reduced roof penetrations and rooftop mechanical strategies intended to limit smoke intrusion. Rooftop solar panels are planned to provide power support during emergencies.听

听

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LOS ANGELES 鈥� Construction is officially underway on the $72 million Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building at Los Angeles City College (LACC), a major project that will anchor the center of campus and advance the Los Angeles Community College District鈥檚 (LACCD) sustainability goals. Designed by Steinberg Hart, the four-story, 67,230-square-foot facility will combine historic architectural character with contemporary instructional and sustainable design elements.

When complete in early 2027, the new building will serve as a prominent gateway to the LACC campus, providing sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills. The building will house instructional rooms, IT help areas, campus safety operations, a multipurpose room, and faculty and student resource spaces. A fourth-floor outdoor terrace will provide a gathering space with panoramic views, but natural light will be prominent feature inside as well thanks to fritted curtainwall facades on the east and west lobbies that help to maintain temperature and reduce glare while maintaining privacy and visual connection to the surrounding campus.

Jacobs will serve as the project manager, with McCarthy Building Companies serving as general contractor. McCarthy Building Companies recently broke ground on the project 鈥� continuing a longstanding relationship with LACCD.

鈥淲e are excited to bring the Cesar Chavez Administration & Workforce Building to Los Angeles City College as it will offer a variety of much needed resources while also serving as an anchor to welcome students and staff,鈥� said Michael Kim, senior vice president at McCarthy Building Companies, in a statement. 鈥淭his is our tenth project with the LACCD, and it is such a pleasure to create robust educational facilities that produce significant learning outcomes.鈥�

Sustainability is central to the project鈥檚 design, which aligns with LACCD鈥檚 goal of achieving net zero by 2040. The facility will include an 80 kW AC solar array system and a battery energy storage system (BESS) capable of providing up to eight hours of backup power. The surrounding central quad will feature native vegetation, light-colored paving, and a Solar Reflection Index (SRI) 鈥渃ool鈥� roof to mitigate the urban heat island effect. All sustainable elements are being designed to meet LEED Gold certification standards.

Founded in 1929, LACC is the oldest of the Los Angeles Community Colleges and has played a pivotal role in shaping higher education across the region, including serving as the original home of what became the University of California, Los Angeles. Today, LACC continues to serve one of Los Angeles鈥� most diverse communities, including East Hollywood, Hollywood, Silver Lake and Echo Park. The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building was funded by Measure CC.

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By Denzil D鈥橲a and Jack Carter

Across California, universities are racing to meet the evolving demands of today鈥檚 students 鈥� none more urgent than the need for on-campus housing. Once considered “commuter colleges”, many public institutions are now experiencing a seismic shift as more students seek a residential university experience. This change is reshaping campus master plans and challenging school leaders to rethink how student housing is delivered 鈥� faster, smarter and with less disruption.

For example, California鈥檚 CSU (California State University) and UC (University of California) systems are facing a mounting student housing crisis fueled by rising enrollment, limited on-campus housing, and unaffordable rental markets surrounding many campuses. Combined, these pressures have left tens of thousands of students without stable housing options. UC campuses report a shortfall of more than 20,000 beds, while CSU estimates its gap to be over 14,000. This has left many students on lengthy waitlists, commuting extreme distances, or facing housing insecurity that directly impacts their ability to succeed.

Responding to the Housing Crisis with Innovation

Enter Progressive Design-Build (PDB), a collaborative, solutions-forward delivery method that鈥檚 helping universities break ground faster and open doors sooner, all while maintaining quality and cost control. This design-build model has reshaped what鈥檚 possible, allowing companies like McCarthy, a long-standing partner in California鈥檚 higher education landscape, to deliver more than 5,000 student beds in the last four years.

From Concept to Completion in Record Time

At San Francisco State University (SFSU), the clock was ticking. The campus urgently needed student housing to support its growing population and improve the student experience. Thanks to the Progressive Design-Build (PDB) delivery method, project stakeholders were engaged from the very first design workshop through to ribbon-cutting 鈥� enabling the construction and delivery of 700 beds in just 17 months. That pace makes it the fastest-delivered housing project in the California State University (CSU) system to date.

Early alignment with the university, designers 鈥� EHDD Architecture, and trade partners allowed the team to evaluate options, control costs and iterate in real time 鈥� rather than waiting for full design completion before pricing and procurement. This approach built deep trust between the university and the design-build team, a critical element for making decisions at speed.

Speed was supported not just by process, but by purpose. The team prioritized minimizing disruption to ongoing campus life, particularly since construction occurred during active school sessions. Deliveries and site activities were coordinated around academic calendars to reduce noise, traffic and student impact 鈥� especially during finals and move-in weeks.

Student-centered thinking also influenced material selection and scheduling. The design and preconstruction teams worked closely with SFSU to choose materials that supported the campus vision while navigating the constraints of an occupied site. 鈥淭hrough the early partnership with SFSU, we were able to release long lead items 鈥� like electrical equipment 鈥� early to ensure timely delivery,鈥� shared McCarthy Building Companies Senior Project Engineer Lana Jarnutowski.

Operations personnel were brought in early to contribute to design decisions and foster strong collaboration with the broader team. According to Jarnutowski, that trust laid the groundwork for seamless field execution. 鈥淭ogether, we designed and built a place where 700 people can call home. That is something we should all be proud of.鈥�

The result? A state-of-the-art student housing community delivered not just on time, but ahead of expectations. Today, SFSU has a signature facility that reflects its evolving identity, enhances student success, and supports a vibrant living-learning environment.

The success of this project demonstrates the power of early collaboration and flexible delivery models 鈥� an approach that鈥檚 now being used to accelerate other projects across California.

Scaling the Model Across California

Following the success at SFSU, McCarthy鈥檚 approach is scaling across multiple campuses. At UC Riverside, a similar progressive design-build model is being combined with prefabricated Cold Form Steel (CFS) panels to deliver 1,500 student beds in just 23 months. This evolving delivery method 鈥� Progressive Design-Build + Prefab = Accelerated Results 鈥� is now being applied at UC Davis, where the team is building on lessons learned to enhance speed, quality and efficiency on its next major student housing project.

This kind of 鈥渞olling expertise鈥� is critical for higher education systems managing multiple projects across different locations. Rather than starting from scratch each time, institutional leaders can rely on proven delivery partners to bring transferable knowledge, repeatable systems and a tested playbook for success.

The Shift from Commuter to Campus Community

Behind all these housing projects lies a deeper story. Once known as commuter schools, institutions like SFSU and UC Riverside are now embracing a residential campus identity, providing students with immersive, community-oriented environments. This is not just about beds; it鈥檚 about creating spaces where students can thrive, learn and grow.

Amenities such as study lounges, wellness spaces, community kitchens, and outdoor courtyards are no longer 鈥渘ice to have鈥� 鈥� they are expectations. And because design-build teams are engaged early, these features can be designed, priced, and integrated efficiently into the plan without creating late-stage cost overruns or schedule delays.

Driven by student needs and supported by delivery innovation, this shift is shaping a new era of campus development. Institutions are turning complexity into clarity and crisis into opportunity. They鈥檙e reimagining the college experience not as a logistical challenge, but as a chance to create spaces that reflect their mission and meet the real needs of their students.

As funding opportunities like California鈥檚 $2 billion Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program continue to drive new projects forward, the importance of smart, student-centered delivery models will only grow.

Denzil D鈥橲a is Preconstruction Director and Jack Carter is Vice President, Project Executive with

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