Design Architect:

Steinberg Hart

Associate Architect or Firm:

Landscape Architect:

LandLab

Owner / Developer:

Associated Students Inc.
California State University, Fullerton

Project Data:

Completion Date:     10/24/2016

Square Footage:      27000

Building Use:           Student Union

Project Description:

Originally built in 1976, the Titan Student Union (TSU) is a mainstay of the Cal State Fullerton campus. Most students — commuter or residential — pass by or through the building each day. The student governing board (ASI) led the charge to improve the aging campus hub, revealing that they had saved years of student body fees and could fund and oversee an expansion. Student representatives expressed two primary objectives: to connect students to each other while also connecting the building to the campus.

A PLACE FOR EVERYONE
The challenge of the Student Union addition was to create a space that could house a variety of activities that support the diverse interests of the campus population. Our approach was to create a singular roof element that would contain this program and create a strong welcoming gesture to the campus community. The addition provides an inclusive and equitable destination for student activity, ALL UNDER ONE ROOF.

Located at the confluence of 3 primary campus promenades the new 27,000 SF addition creates a much needed “front door” experience for the Student Union. Inside the soaring triple-height atrium, which includes expansion below-grade, embodies a sense of ‘WOW’. The new addition helps to support the constant buzz of activity both inside and outside of this campus hub.

• The first level is the highly social space of the project. It is the primary meetup space and the place you go TO SEE AND BE SEEN. This main entrance level connects to the existing food court and student lounge spaces.

• The connection to the lower level provides direct access to the highly active programs of the existing building. The design of the grand stair allows for informal gathering and performance events, while also creating a physical and visual connection.

• Within the new central three-story atrium space, students can simultaneously experience the highly active, social, and collaborative activities occurring on all levels of the building.

DESIGNING FOR ENERGY
The building design meets the 2030 Challenge by reducing fossil fuel and greenhouse gas emitting energy consumption by 70% as compared to the average performance of that building type (Colleges and Universities) in the region.

• Average Energy Use Intensity (EUI) for the building type: 132 kBTU/SF
• Projected Energy Use Intensity (EUI) for the project: 40 kBTU/SF

Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA) indicates how much of a space receives sufficient daylight. Our daylight analysis indicates 100% sDA for the first floor and second floor. We studied our daylight harvesting approach both digitally and physically using models and light meter testing. The result is a reduction in total energy used by artificial lighting, only 9% of total energy use (typically 25-30% ).

DESIGN-BUILD DELIVERY
The CSU Fullerton Planning and Construction team, on behalf of the Associate Students Inc., implemented a Design-Build construction delivery model by means of a design competition. Multiple User-Engagement meetings occurred during and after the competition to assure that needs of the end user were being met while also balancing cost control. As a result, the Design-Build team was able to deliver the project for a modest $14 million while creating an exceptional Campus resource.