Chico State University Services Building
Chico, California
Client
California State University, Chico
Completion
May 2025
LEED Status
LEED Silver
Size
22,132 sq ft
Cost
$14.9 Million
Delivery Method
Design-Build
Program Components
Mass Timber, All-Electric, Solar-Ready
University Services Building: A New Hub for Campus Operations
The University Services Building at California State University, Chico is the new home for the Facilities Management & Services (FMS). Located on the periphery of the campus, the building location optimizes functionality and flow within the existing facilities service yard. An open floor plan accommodates conference rooms, private offices, open workstations, work-room spaces, and other building support spaces.
Sectors
EducationFraming a First: CSU’s First Mass Timber Project
The USB is the first mass timber building designed and built within the CSU system. The mass timber structure consists of glulam columns and beams, cross laminated timber (CLT) structural decking, and a lateral structure of steel brace frames.
The mass timber structure provides multiple benefits for the building design and CSU campus. As the first of it’s kind at Chico State, the building is an educational tool for not only the FMS department, but also for students. Using mass timber reinforces the campus’ master plan goals of prioritizing sustainability and resiliency by using low carbon materials and systems. The use and expression of wood within the building interior also adds biophilic design benefits by connecting the building occupants more closely to nature.
Designing with Purpose: Daylight, Flexibility, and Sustainability
The design team worked closely with the campus and stakeholders to establish shared values and goals for the project which include maximizing interior daylight, maximizing structural and building systems efficiencies, minimizing environmental impacts, and designing for future flexibility.
The use of mass timber is not the only design feature Programmatically, the floor plan layout locates building services and enclosed spaces such as conference rooms and offices in the core creating an open floor plate for flexible planning. The exterior design features large expanses of glass on the north and south elevations for maximizing daylight to shared spaces. The integration of exterior sun shade devices and CLT deck overhangs helps reduce direct sunlight and minimize solar heat gain.
The project is designed to be all-electric, solar-ready, and achieve LEED Silver certification.