| Funded by student fees, the student union shifts the epicenter of campus life from a traditional quad to a promenade, the Coyote Walk, linking the new buildings to the rest of the school. On the constrained, sloped site, the building fits like a jigsaw puzzle piece into the evolving campus. Outdoor spaces are activated throughout the site, including an elevated plaza that sits above the bookstore and connects to the conference center. Amphitheater seating was added to the sloped site; a covered area adjacent to the pub includes a conversation pit with video screens and gaming, creating a natural gathering spot. On the elevated plaza, louvered metal structures were built to provide shelter from the sun and winds.
A comprehensive approach to student outreach and engagement was a key driver of the design process. Direct feedback was collected from the campus population through workshops, interviews, and design sessions. Student input was the driver for all design decisions on the project. Their voice informed the design team as they were the ultimate client who paid for the facility. The project aims to instill a renewed sense of pride and excitement in the under-served student community, creating a fresh identity for the rapidly growing diverse population. Since its programming phase, the design has had a strong drive to create spaces that empower minorities and underprivileged demographics:
The design brings together dozens of affinity clubs and minority social centers previously dispersed throughout campus and places them on the top floor, creating a social hub for the exchange of ideas. The move elevates the students while offering them commanding views of campus and the nearby San Bernardino mountains.
Special emphasis was placed on bringing controlled natural light to all key spaces and circulation areas. Using building orientation and massing along with localized sun control, the harsh desert light is filtered before reaching deep into the floor plates. Exterior views of the surrounding natural environment were also carefully delineated. Acoustically, the building is separated vertically into three zones. Active spaces are found on the first level, meeting and conferences spaces on the middle floor and more focused spaces on top. The building grows quieter the higher one travels allowing students to find their own level of comfort.
A combination of passive and active strategies were implemented on the project to achieve LEED Gold certification. The top floor was offset in two directions to self-shade the building. The glazing was maximized only in areas of no direct sunlight, with minimal west and south glazing exposure. Active strategies include a high efficiency campus chiller and boiler plant, a high-performance building envelope, as well as high efficiency interior and exterior lighting systems. A ground mounted solar array offsets 25% of the building’s remaining loads.
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