Building for the Future at CSU San Marcos
The north facade of the Integrated Science and Engineering Building at California State University San Marcos (CSU San Marcos). All images: Courtesy of HGA
The expansion of STEM education at California State University San Marcos (CSU San Marcos) is taking a major leap forward with the upcoming construction of the Integrated Science and Engineering Building. Designed by HGA and built by C.W. Driver Companies, this 70,000-sf facility will provide state-of-the-art teaching and research spaces to support the university’s growing engineering and computer science programs. With a strong focus on sustainability, the building aims for LEED Gold certification, eliminating natural gas usage and integrating renewable energy from a forthcoming campus solar project.
From flexible lab spaces to outdoor gathering areas, the building is designed to foster interdisciplinary learning and prepare students for careers in cutting-edge fields. In this interview, Gail Bouvrie, associate vice president and design principal at HGA, shares insights into the vision behind the project, the challenges of designing a high-performance academic laboratory building, and how the new facility will enhance CSUSM’s role as a hub for innovation and industry collaboration in the San Diego region.
Q: How did input from faculty, students, and industry partners influence the design of the teaching and research labs in the new Integrated Science and Engineering Building?
A: CSU San Marcos boasts a diverse and varied student body with over 50 percent of students identifying as non-white. Many students are the first in their families to attend college, and numerous students commute long distances to attend classes. CSU San Marcos is proud to be among the top universities in the country for social mobility, as a testament to the quality of programs and support the school offers to prepare students for lucrative careers.
Additionally, CSU San Marcos acknowledges the land it occupies as the traditional territory of the Luiseño/Payómkawichum people.
Input received from students and faculty conveyed a desire to address the diverse nature of the campus and the Indigenous history. Design responses to this include a land acknowledgment integrated as a binary language graphic at a main stair; a café designed to provide a place to gather and build community; several open lounge spaces to foster collaboration and provide comfortable spaces for all students; and landscaping that celebrates the botanical history of the area. Gender-inclusive toilets and a lactation room ensure all students can find comfort in the building. Student clubs also play a significant role in providing students with the means to meet and collaborate with others with similar interests and/or backgrounds, as well as in attracting students looking for a supportive space.
Input from university faculty, the dean, and industry partners also played a crucial role in shaping the design of the teaching and research labs in the new Integrated Science and Engineering Building. Faculty provided insights into the specific equipment, layout, and technology needed to support cutting-edge research and innovative teaching methods for today and into the future. One of the insights gathered was to have spaces in and outside of labs in which researchers could collaborate with students and faculty additionally expressed a desire to be more accessible to students. Industry partners helped align the facility with current and future workforce demands, and the dean was particularly interested in sustainability as a priority in the planning of the new building.
University faculty, the dean, and industry partners shaped the design of the new Integrated Science and Engineering Building, prioritizing innovative teaching, cutting-edge research, and sustainability for the future.
Q: What specific sustainability strategies and energy-efficient technologies were incorporated into the building’s design to achieve LEED Gold certification and align with CSU’s environmental goals?
A: The approach for the Integrated Science and Engineering Building supports the CSU’s commitment to sustainability by focusing on three main strategies: reducing demand, optimizing MEP systems, and energy generation.
To reduce demand, optimization of the layout, orientation, and materials ensures the building design maximizes daylight to occupants while minimizing heat transfer. The building also maximizes north and south facades to take advantage of the beneficial solar orientation.
For MEP systems, various mechanical alternatives were explored, and energy analyses were performed to ensure systems that adapt efficiently to heating and cooling loads. Additionally, occupancy sensors were introduced to optimize HVAC operation—reducing operating costs through integration of lighting and HVAC controls.
For energy generation, the project is incorporating a large campus photovoltaic (PV) solar power array, aligning with Title 24, Net Zero, and LEED Gold strategies.
Sustainable features are celebrated throughout the project. At the main entry, monitors will display dashboards that track energy and water usage in real-time, and interior finishes will have Environmental Product Declarations. Visibility into the utility room will also allow students and visitors a glimpse into the energy-efficient equipment in the building. A south-facing facade will be fitted with a bi-metal self-shading window to celebrate a truly passive means of controlling solar gain and glare. The ethno-botanical landscape will be drought tolerant as well, requiring little maintenance and water.
Q: Given the rapid advancements in engineering and computer science, how does the building’s design ensure long-term adaptability for evolving academic and research needs?
A: The building’s design ensures long-term adaptability for evolving academic and research needs through several strategies. The building has scalable infrastructure and is equipped with state-of-the-art mechanical, electrical, and IT systems that can be upgraded or expanded without major renovations—ensuring compatibility with future technologies. Robust pathways also allow for utilities that might be added or relocated in the future. Spaces are designed to be flexible and interchangeable with standardized movable benches and classroom furniture to accommodate a wide range of teaching pedagogies. The use of minimal maintenance, long-life materials and energy-efficient systems supports long-term durability while reducing the environmental impact of future modifications. Additionally, the building was sited to allow for a “Phase II” in the future as the university’s enrollment and interest in STEM classes continue to grow at a significant rate.
Q: With the goal of strengthening industry partnerships, were any design considerations made to facilitate collaboration between students, faculty, and regional employers?
A: The programs were informed by the needs of the local employers and the rapidly growing tech industry in the San Diego area and are designed to prepare students to enter the tech and engineering workforce soon after graduation. Capstone spaces allow students to work with industry professionals to tackle projects that address real-world issues, and the building has several dedicated project labs where students can work on projects for internships offered by local employers.
Open lounges, huddle rooms, and formal meeting spaces are strategically placed to encourage casual interactions and structured discussions between students, faculty and industry professionals.
Active learning classrooms are also equipped with a movable wall that allows the spaces to transform into one large space ideal for industry partner events, with direct access to an outdoor terrace that can accommodate catered events into the evening. Additionally, the various outdoor spaces can be transformed to host job fairs, lectures, and other industry events as well.
Years of collaboration and thoughtful planning culminate in CSU San Marcos' new STEM building, designed to support interdisciplinary learning, foster campus engagement, and meet future academic and industry needs.
Q: This is the first major construction project at CSUSM in over a decade—what unique challenges or opportunities did that present in terms of campus integration and user engagement in the design process?
A: With the need for expanded STEM spaces increasing, this project has been considered for close to a decade. University leadership has worked tirelessly and was motivated to bring this project to fruition to address the lack of appropriate spaces to support Computer Science and Engineering, and campus engagement was robust and meaningful. Securing funding was a priority, requiring all stakeholders to work collaboratively to make the proposal airtight, efficient, and justifiable for the future of CSU San Marcos.
As this new building is the first major project in 10 years, ensuring that it seamlessly integrated with existing campus language and infrastructure required careful planning and stakeholder engagement. The goal was to design a building that expressed a forward-looking aesthetic, while also being a good neighbor to the existing structures. Efficiency in planning was achieved with a consistent lab planning module, humble materials, and the use of outdoor spaces to expand potential teaching opportunities. Faculty engagement also made an exceptional case for the need for enhanced learning environments with interdisciplinary spaces that aligned with both industry trends and student expectations.
