New facility to support 550 new engineering graduates each year, boosting regional scientific workforce.
California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) has partnered with acclaimed national interdisciplinary design firm HGA and multifaceted builder C.W. Driver Companies to design and construct a three-story, 70,000-square-foot Integrated Science and Engineering Building. This project marks the first large-scale construction on the CSUSM campus in over 10 years.
HGA and C.W. Driver bring decades of expertise designing and constructing scientific facilities for academic institutions to the Integrated Science and Engineering Building project. The new building will support the university’s growing engineering and computer science programs with teaching and research labs, additional classrooms, student support areas, staff offices, and a cafe. It will also feature outdoor gathering spaces. Designed to achieve optimal building performance for a laboratory building and to meet the sustainability goals of the CSU, the building will seek LEED Gold certification. It will eliminate the use of natural gas and rely on a forthcoming campus solar project for renewable energy.
“As CSUSM seeks to elevate its educational programs and advance scientific innovation, this state-of- the-art facility will strengthen the university’s industry partnerships throughout the San Diego region and make a substantial contribution to California’s STEM workforce,” said Kevin Donaghey, principal with HGA. “The university’s commitment to being a sustainability leader aligns with HGA and C.W. Driver’s mission to create cutting-edge facilities that prioritize environmental responsibility and innovative performance for the next generation of engineers.”
The new building will expand CSUSM’s capacity for enrollment growth, and will accommodate new programs for electrical engineering, computer science, systems engineering and software engineering. This expansion will help address the growing demand for engineers and computer scientists from regional employers, including major companies such as Viasat, a leader in satellite and communication services, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, renowned for its analytical instruments and pharmaceutical services.
As the first academic building on the CSU project priority list, the Integrated Science and Engineering Building is expected to break ground in the summer of 2025, with completion and a grand opening scheduled for the fall of 2027.
About HGA
HGA is a national interdisciplinary design firm committed to making a positive, lasting impact for our clients and communities through research-based, holistic solutions. We believe that great design requires a sense of curiosity—forming deep insight into our clients, their contexts, and the human condition. We are a collective of more than 1,000 architects, engineers, interior designers, planners, researchers, and strategists. Our practice spans multiple markets, including science and technology, corporate, cultural, education, local and federal government, and healthcare. Visit HGA.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
About C.W. Driver Companies
C.W. Driver Companies is a premier builder serving California since 1919. In 2019, the historic company proudly celebrated its 100-year anniversary. As a leader in general contracting and construction management services, C.W. Driver Companies are on the cutting edge across a broad spectrum of industries, including education, commercial/office, technology, healthcare/biomedical, mixed-use, assisted living, entertainment, retail, industrial and civic. Ranked in Engineering News Record’s Top 150 General Contractors and Top 100 Construction Managers, C.W. Driver Companies has the ability to build a variety of projects, from large tenant improvements to small renovations and specialized projects through its affiliates Driver SPG and Good & Roberts. C.W. Driver Companies has offices located in Los Angeles, Rancho Cucamonga, Anaheim, San Diego and Carlsbad. For more information, please visit www.cwdriver.com. Follow C.W. Driver Companies on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
HGA Media Contact
Michelle Nelsen, Public Relations Director
mnelsen@hga.com