EL PASO, Texas — Students at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) will soon live in a state-of-the-art residence hall equipped with a fitness center and brand-new dining facility near the center of campus. University officials recently broke ground on a new $102 million complex, named Miner Crossing, that will provide a much-needed expansion of UTEP’s on-campus housing.��

“This will be a traditional freshman dorm with an integrated dining hall at a reasonable price for our students and their families,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson in a statement. “With more and more students applying to UTEP from beyond West Texas, we need to expand our on-campus housing.”��

The new 155,500-square-foot facility will add approximately 507 new beds in single and double occupancy rooms. The five-story residence hall will be��located��on the north side of the track at Kidd Field.��

The complex includes a new 22,000-square-foot dining room with seating for 400 guests, serving more than 1,400 meals per day. It will be equipped with a full kitchen, bakery, allergen-free zone, pizza��oven��and office spaces for staff. Students will have the��option��to choose from 11 food stations, including a salad bar, deli, grill, pizza��station��and ice cream bar.��

Study rooms and open study nooks will be��located��throughout the building, as well as a first-floor amenity space with a gaming area, living room,��a multi-purpose space and a mailroom. A 1,350-square-foot fitness center will include a mixture of cardio equipment and free weights.��

The exterior of the building will reflect UTEP’s distinctive Bhutanese architectural style, complemented by native Chihuahuan desert plant landscaping designed by Ten Eyck Landscape Architects. The firm is also behind the decorative courtyard and breezeway that will sit on the south side of the building, connecting the housing facility to Kidd Field.��

The building was designed by Ayers Saint Gross and is being built by Sundt Construction.����

“This new housing option will allow students to be fully integrated with campus life,” said Catie McCorry-Andalis, Ed.D., Vice President of Student Affairs, in a statement. “Students can easily access the track for exercise; the Union for additional dining options; and classes.”��

Construction will take about two��years��and the dorm will be complete and available for students in the Fall 2028 semester. UTEP has 1,000 beds on campus currently and has had a waiting list for housing for the last four years.��

The project team also includes Project Control and PC Sports��and Mijares Mora Architects Inc.��

The post University of Texas at El Paso Breaks Ground on New 507-Bed Student Housing Complex appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post University of Texas at El Paso Breaks Ground on New 507-Bed Student Housing Complex appeared first on ���سԹ�.

By Sarah Clow

���سԹ� attended on June 2 at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles, the organization’s first conference dedicated entirely to K-12. The event brought together school district leaders, architects, contractors and investors to address the funding, design and delivery challenges reshaping school campuses across the region.

From Bond to Building: Funding, Procurement and Delivering K-12 Projects in a High-Cost Environment

Financing K-12 construction in California is complex. Bond dollars are tightly earmarked, and districts are responsible for keeping both the community and industry informed on how those funds are being used. Regulatory hurdles, namely with the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and the Department of Finance for state-funded projects, continue to slow timelines, and panelists stressed that planning needs to start earlier to absorb those delays.

Alternative delivery methods like design-build offer real opportunity in K-12, but early collaboration between project teams is essential. The strategies that impact goals, timelines and funding need to be established from the outset.

As for what’s getting built, modernization is the dominant story. From Long Beach to Santa Monica, existing school facilities are approaching 70 years old. Seismic upgrades, sustainable renovations, Universal TK facilities, and investments in gyms, arts and experiential learning spaces are driving the current project pipeline. Building on active campuses remains one of the industry’s most persistent challenges. Panelists described it as “fixing the plane while flying,” with early phasing plans and community engagement strategies being critical to keeping projects on track.

Speakers in this session included Carey Upton, Chief Operations Officer at Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District; Kate Hirsh, Co-Head and Managing Director of Healthcare + Education at Turner Impact Capital; Tracy Nishihira, Executive Director of Facilities Development & Planning at Long Beach Unified School District; Brooke Murray, Director of Facilities Planning & Operations at Ontario-Montclair School District; and Dave Amudson, Project Executive at C.W. Driver Companies.

The Future of Southern California K-12 Learning Environments: Safety, Flexibility, Technology and Student Experience

Declining enrollment is reshaping how districts think about their facilities — and panelists argued that it needs to reshape how they think about their communities. Schools serve more than current students, and long-term planning needs to reflect that.

On technology, the message was practical: build for flexibility now, and design spaces that can accommodate upgrades without full retrofits down the line. Educators also need proper training to make technology investments worthwhile. Inclusive design was another priority, with several Southern California districts committed to integrating special education facilities into every school so families can keep children enrolled at their neighborhood campus.

Safety generated the day’s most candid conversation. The ideal of open, community-welcoming campuses is in direct tension with today’s security requirements. Fencing, controlled access and fortified perimeters are becoming standard. The design challenge is making those elements feel considered rather than institutional. Panelists favored modern security detection technology over traditional metal detectors and emphasized that transparency and sightlines remain important tools for creating environments where students feel secure.

Underlying all of it was a call for deeper community engagement. The best school facilities are designed for the people they serve, and that requires understanding what matters to each community from the very start.

Speakers in this session included Alix Walsh O’Brien, FAIA, Deputy Chief Facilities Executive at Los Angeles Unified School District; Kelvin Okino, Executive Director of Facilities and Construction at Irvine Unified School District; Anney Hall, Principal at Lionakis; and Jerry Lam, Principal at Lam + Tea Engineering.

The post Modernization, Funding and the Future of K-12 Campuses: Takeaways from Bisnow’s First-Ever Southern California K-12 Summit appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post Modernization, Funding and the Future of K-12 Campuses: Takeaways from Bisnow’s First-Ever Southern California K-12 Summit appeared first on ���سԹ�.

THORNTON, Colo. — Adams 12 Five Star Schools celebrated the official groundbreaking for the new Thornton High School on Tuesday, May 19, marking a major milestone in the district’s voter-approved 2024 bond program and the future of one of the district’s longest-standing high school communities.��

“Today’s groundbreaking is about honoring history, while looking ahead to new chapters,” said Thornton High School Principal Charles Arellano, a Thornton High alumnus, according to a statement from the district. “The new Thornton High School will create new opportunities for students and staff and will also carry over the pride, the relationships and the rich traditions that make the school so special.”��

The new Thornton High School is one of the core projects included in the district’s 2024 bond, which was approved by voters to support investments in schools throughout the district.��

Construction begins this month and will be completed in phases, allowing Thornton High School to continue serving students while the new building is constructed. The first wing of the new school is scheduled to open in summer 2028. The second wing is scheduled to be completed in winter 2029, with the completed building ready for students in fall 2030.��

The project will replace the existing Thornton High School with a modern learning environment designed to support current and future students while honoring the school’s history and deep community ties. Student leaders from Thornton Elementary, a Thornton High feeder school, also��participated��in the ceremony,��representing��future Trojans who could be among the first students to attend the fully completed new school.��

On the project website, Treanor noted that the design team listened closely to what project stakeholders loved, hoped for and felt was missing from the current Thornton High School facility. That feedback ultimately shaped the design. ��

“What’s��emerged is not just a school but a cultural hub: a welcoming, inclusive space that honors tradition and fosters innovation,” the firm said.��“Together,��we’re��creating a place of pride that honors the school’s rich heritage and paves the way for a bold, bright future.”��

From open, light-filled spaces that invite collaboration to��features��that promote academic growth, student confidence,��accessibility��and wellness, the new THS is designed to support the whole student.����

The design was intentionally developed to support��six��core��career and technical education (CTE)��pathways:����

1. Advanced Manufacturing
2. Media Arts and Entertainment
3. Computer Science and Digital Technology��
4. Culinary and Consumer Science
5. Business and Entrepreneurship
6. Interpretation and Translation Services

These��educational pathways��are��woven into the layout, creating opportunities for��hands-on learning spaces where students explore real-world skills and discover their passions, according to Treanor.��The new curriculum is designed to accommodate the full spectrum of students who attend THS, including those��seeking��to build skills and enter the workforce��immediately��after graduation, as well as students planning to pursue higher education.����

The project team also includes Accenture and Adolfson & Peterson Construction.��

The post Adams 12 Five Star Schools Breaks Ground on New Thornton High School to Support Career and Technical Education Pathways appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post Adams 12 Five Star Schools Breaks Ground on New Thornton High School to Support Career and Technical Education Pathways appeared first on ���سԹ�.

• CESD’s new campus will feature a combined 86,000 square feet of learning space that celebrates Biltmore Prep’s dual immersion learning model��

• Through a phased approach, the campus will remain fully operational during construction of new buildings.��

• The project is scheduled to be completed in Winter 2027, with students transitioning to new classrooms in time for the 2027-2028 school year.��

PHOENIX��— Creighton Elementary School District (Creighton) recently broke ground on a comprehensive campus replacement project for Biltmore Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, which will provide entirely new infrastructure to accommodate increased student populations and modernized, collaborative learning. Designed by SPS+ Architects and being constructed by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (McCarthy), the project��aims to celebrate the unique biliterate learning culture and rich history of the Biltmore Prep community through a redefined campus design.��

District leaders described the��project��(Creighton’s first-ever active campus rebuild)��as��a historic milestone for��the��community.����

“Our priority is ensuring that our students��remain safely engaged in their learning without missing a beat, even as a brand-new future rises right beside them,” the district shared in a statement.��“We��aren’t��just building classrooms; we are creating a space that celebrates our rich, biliterate culture and mirrors the vibrancy of the Latin American heritages we honor every day.”��

Biltmore Prep’s reimagined campus will��include a��brand-new administration and cafeteria building, and a two-story elementary classroom building with modernized K-5 classrooms. With its dual immersion teaching model, where students transition from English to Spanish learning throughout the week, every space has been thoughtfully designed with color and texture tied to the language of instruction. Students will associate the physical learning environment with the learning content.��

The two-story middle school building will house all sixth through eighth grade classes, featuring��a state-of-the-art media and learning center, hands-on STEM labs,��a maker��space, and dedicated rooms for music and the arts. The crown jewel is a ‘learning stair’ — a large amphitheater-style staircase designed to provide flexible reading spaces, group��work��and collaboration for students.��

Each building will feature distinct, vibrant collaboration spaces, equipped with flexible seating to encourage students to engage in bilingual conversations and create opportunities for inspiration and creativity within these multicultural areas.��

Tying it all together, the campus will make��great use��of its existing multipurpose gymnasium (built in 2019) as a central hub for play and gathering throughout construction. All four buildings will frame a stunning central courtyard anchored by a larger outdoor learning stair as a key architectural feature, cascading from the second story of the elementary building into the courtyard. This feature will provide opportunities for outdoor classes, student performances, assemblies, and parent-teacher events.��

“The Creighton District started the project with a lofty goal, to go beyond the surface and embody biliteracy at a deeper level, in materials, spatial relations and site planning,” said Morgan Ellis, K-12��Director at SPS+ Architects. “As an architect, these are the projects we dream of.”��

The project��will also embrace opportunities to engage with students and staff in both Spanish and English,��as all communication and signage surrounding the project will be conducted in both languages.��

“McCarthy has had the honor of walking these halls, supporting this campus, and being a part of this community for years, and we are excited about this next chapter for BPA,”��said Project Director Paul Kubik.��“Every time we take on a campus rebuild, we have the privilege of becoming ingrained into the school’s culture, and that runs especially deep here.”��

With the project scheduled to complete around November 2027, the newly reimagined Biltmore Prep will celebrate the long-standing culture of the community while expanding the school’s capacity from��nearly 500��students and 60 staff to��roughly 750��students and 75 staff.��

The post Creighton Elementary School District Breaks Ground on Dual Immersion Biltmore Prep appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post Creighton Elementary School District Breaks Ground on Dual Immersion Biltmore Prep appeared first on ���سԹ�.

HILLSBORO, Ore. — At its regular session meeting on Tuesday, May 26, Hillsboro School Board members voted unanimously to place the Hillsboro School District’s (HSD) $430 capital construction bond on the November 2026 ballot.

The approved bond program��contains��projects for every school and district building across six broad project areas: buildings and systems, safety and security, Career and College Pathways, Extracurriculars, technology and cybersecurity, and support services.��

If successful in November, the bond would allow HSD to address aging infrastructure like roofs and HVAC systems, modernize educational settings that engage and prepare students, improve and expand extracurricular spaces like lighted turf fields for year-round student and community use, and enhance safety and security districtwide, among many other priorities.����

Capital construction bonds like this one are the only mechanism school districts have for making significant investments in systems and structures. The State School Fund dollars��allocated��to districts each year are��really only��meant to fund daily operations (primarily staff-related costs) and incidental maintenance and repairs.��

By the fall of 2026, taxpayers will have paid off some of HSD’s��previous��bonds. This creates an opportunity to fill in the gap with a new bond to generate capital investment money for district projects, while keeping the current tax rate consistent. HSD estimates a repayment rate of��approximately $1.84��per $1000 of assessed property value, which is 18 cents per thousand less than the��average of��rates paid since the passage of the district’s��previous��bond in 2017.����

Wherever possible, the district will seek opportunities to��leverage��partnerships, incentives, and grants to maximize our bond dollars and make them go further, highlighting HSD’s commitment to good stewardship of the community’s investment.��

In a 2019 bond,��the district invested heavily in safety and security upgrades at all schools, including��Seismic and roofing upgrades, Playground��upgrades��and Parent/bus drop-off improvements. The bond also supported extensive renovation and repair efforts at the district’s aging schools, focused on��HVAC,��plumbing��and electrical upgrades; remodeling projects; and the replacement of 15 temporary portable classrooms. Efforts to relieve crowded classrooms and plan for growth included the construction of separate gymnasiums at elementary schools that currently share gym and cafeteria space��as well as the expansion of Evergreen Middle School and Glencoe High School��and the construction of one new elementary school in North Plains, one new elementary school in South Hillsboro, and replacement of Brookwood Elementary School. The bond also extended to��new technology, flexible classroom��furniture��and the expansion of career and technical education spaces at all��district��high schools.����

The district has implemented an����of all proposed projects.��

The post Oregon’s Hillsboro School District Places Capital Bond on November 2026 Ballot appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post Oregon’s Hillsboro School District Places Capital Bond on November 2026 Ballot appeared first on ���سԹ�.

• Haxtun School District RE-2J marked the start of construction May 13 on a renovation and addition project to unify its PK–12 campus.��
• The project follows several years of planning and is funded through a bond election and a Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant awarded in May 2025.��
• Work includes reorganizing classrooms and support spaces, safety and operational upgrades, and new/repurposed nutrition and athletics areas.��
• Plans also call for replacing the district’s 1956 vocational agriculture building with a new facility supporting multiple agricultural programs.����
• Construction is expected to be completed in July 2027 with��Wold��Architects and Engineers, Bryan Construction and NV5 partnering on the project.��

HAXTUN, Colo. — Haxtun School District RE-2J has begun construction on a renovation and addition project designed to unify its prekindergarten through 12th-grade campus and update learning spaces.����

District officials, staff,��students��and community members gathered May 13 for a groundbreaking ceremony following several years of planning and a funding package built on a successful bond election and a BEST grant award in May 2025.����

Superintendent Aron Jones said the project is intended to create a more connected campus that supports student learning and collaboration.����

“Our goal has always been to provide the best possible learning environment for our students,” said Superintendent Aron Jones. “By bringing our students and programs together in a more organized, connected environment, we’re creating a school that better supports learning, collaboration and day-to-day success.”��

The project scope includes reshaping spaces that district officials said have been fragmented by multiple additions over time. Early childhood and kindergarten classrooms will be��consolidated��with improved access to playgrounds, while special education and sensory spaces will be grouped together.����

The redesigned campus will improve wayfinding and strengthen connections between grade levels while creating dedicated spaces for early childhood education, special��education��and��sensory-support��programs. The project also prioritizes safety through a more secure main entry sequence and improved organization of high-activity spaces such as athletics and physical education.����

A significant feature of the project includes repurposing the existing elementary gym into a centralized cafeteria serving the entire PK-12 population. In addition, the district will construct a new auxiliary gym with expanded seating and improved access to locker rooms and outdoor athletic facilities.����

Career and technical education��is��another focus. The district plans to replace its 1956 vocational agriculture building with a new facility intended for agricultural mechanics, welding, animal��science��and crop science programs.����

Construction is expected to conclude in July 2027.��Wold��Architects and Engineers partnered with Bryan Construction and owner’s representative NV5 to design and deliver the project, which will��consolidate��previously fragmented facilities into a more connected and student-centered campus.��

This article is based on reporting originally published by��ColoradoBiz��on May 14, 2026, and information posted by Haxtun School District RE-2J.��

The post Haxtun School District Breaks Ground on Unified PK–12 Campus appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post Haxtun School District Breaks Ground on Unified PK–12 Campus appeared first on ���سԹ�.

MILPITAS, Calif. — Milpitas Unified School District has broken ground on Phase III of its Milpitas Innovation Campus, starting the final construction stage of a multi-phase learning and career training hub in Milpitas.����

District and project leaders said the last phase will add dedicated facilities for workforce development and early childhood education research, building on campus components that opened in fall 2023 and fall 2024.����

Phase III is planned to deliver two separate buildings: a 9,000-square-foot Workforce Development Center and a 3,500-square-foot Early Childhood Education Research Center, according to QKA.����

MUSD Superintendent Cheryl Jordan pointed to the campus’s broader impact, saying, “The multi-year development of this project at the intersection of global Silicon Valley has allowed us to see the benefits these facilities and programs are already bringing to our students, residents and businesses.”��

Jordan also described the role of the final phase within the overall campus plan: “Phase Three is the cornerstone of the MUSD Innovation Campus as it provides our industry, governance, community organizations and educators with a place to convene in partnership for work-based learning and durable skills development for career and life.”��

QKA said the Workforce Development Center will include meeting rooms, offices, conference rooms, a cafe,��kitchen��and lobby. The meeting rooms are designed to be reconfigured using operable partitions to create larger gathering space for conferences and��MUSD��Board of Education meetings. The kitchen is planned to open to a covered outdoor dining area��adjacent to��the campus’s existing main quad.����

The Early Childhood Education Research Center is described as having two classrooms with restrooms, along with breakout and administrative spaces.����

QKA President Aaron Jobson said the team emphasized flexibility across age groups and subject areas, noting the goal was to create “adaptable learning environments” that can support “a wide range of subjects and industries.”����

Project partners include QKA as designer for all phases, Blach Construction as builder and TBK Construction Management as construction manager.����

The release also notes sustainability measures such as designing toward Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) certification, using renewable power from MUSD’s existing photovoltaic system, and incorporating energy-efficient lighting, all-electric mechanical systems, stormwater��catchment��and water-efficient landscaping.����

Funding for the $90 million,��nearly 100,000-square-foot��Innovation Campus is attributed to the 2018 Bond Measure AA and California state-matching grants, with Phase��III��expected to complete in��summer 2027.����

This article is based on a press release originally published by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects on April 28, 2026.����

The post Milpitas USD Breaks Ground on Final Phase of Innovation Campus appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post Milpitas USD Breaks Ground on Final Phase of Innovation Campus appeared first on ���سԹ�.

• Southbury and Middlebury voters backed Region 15’s $95.6 million 2026-27 operating budget at the May 6 referendum, according to posted unofficial results.��
• Voters also approved $224 million in bonding to replace��Gainfield��and Pomperaug elementary schools; the bond question passed overall even though Middlebury voters opposed it locally.��
• District materials say the plan is to build new PK–5 schools on the existing sites, keep students in their current buildings until the replacements are ready, and add dedicated preschool space while upgrading safety,��accessibility��and traffic circulation.��

SOUTHBURY, MIDDLEBURY, Conn. — Voters in Southbury and Middlebury approved Region 15’s $95.6 million operating budget for fiscal 2026-27 and authorized $224 million in school construction bonding to replace the district’s two oldest elementary buildings, according to referendum results released after the May 6 vote.����

The bond would support replacement buildings for��Gainfield��Elementary School and Pomperaug Elementary School, with the district planning to pursue state school construction grants that could significantly reduce the local share of eligible project costs.��

Unofficial results posted by the Town of Southbury show the Region 15 school budget passed 2,679-1,618 overall (Southbury: 2,048-1,059; Middlebury: 631-559). The construction financing question passed 2,474-1,820 overall, with Southbury approving 1,935-1,172 and Middlebury voting against the question 539-648, according to��.��

The Stamford Advocate reported the adopted budget totals $95.6 million, a $4.86 million (5.4%) increase over the current $90.78 million plan. The same report said the $224 million bond package would fund replacement schools on each existing site, with plans calling for larger buildings designed to serve about 550 students per school and include prekindergarten space, according to��.��

District project materials describe��Gainfield’s��original sections as dating to 1941 and Pomperaug opening in 1967, noting both facilities have aging infrastructure and systems nearing the end of their useful life. “many��of our systems and spaces are significantly aged, flawed, functioning unreliably, or��become��obsolete,” according to��.��

Region 15’s facilities materials say new construction — rather than renovation — was selected after feasibility work evaluated both approaches. The FAQ says early estimates compared roughly $80 million for renovation to about $86 million for new construction, but renovation would add significant costs and complications, including temporary swing space estimated at about $12 million and a longer timeline that could increase escalation costs, according to .����

On design and operations, the district says replacement buildings would address code and safety upgrades that older schools are exempt from because of their��age, and��improve circulation and traffic safety. The “Key Project ���سԹ�” page says the new layouts would funnel visitors from the main entrance to the front office for screening and bring the schools up to current fire and energy codes (including sprinklers and updated HVAC), while expanding parking and dedicated bus lanes, according to��.��

Project scope materials also cite improved traffic circulation at both campuses, including altered traffic patterns and a new access road intended to reduce congestion near Main Street and Poverty Road in Southbury. Region 15 further says the proposal is designed to keep schools��operating��throughout construction by allowing the district to occupy the existing buildings until the new schools are complete and ready for occupancy, according to��.��

Programming elements highlighted by the district include adding dedicated preschool classrooms and replacing makeshift instructional spaces (such as interventions held in closets or hallways) with purpose-built rooms and small-group areas, according to��.��

In its March 30 Board of Education newsletter, Region 15 said it sought voter approval in May to��submit��a school construction grant application by the state’s June 30 deadline. The newsletter also estimated total construction costs at about $224 million and��anticipated��roughly 64.2%��reimbursement of eligible costs under current assumptions, with a projected $80 million to $90 million local borrowing need, according to��.��

Before the May 6 vote, Region 15 said the Connecticut General Assembly approved a space waiver intended to support the district’s eligibility for its expected reimbursement rate while allowing some flexibility in shared spaces. “This legislation allows us to thoughtfully plan school spaces that meet student needs while also providing areas that can serve the wider community,” according to��.��

As the district moves toward a state funding application, Superintendent Joshua Smith described near-term steps, including governance and procurement work. “We will also begin the work of identifying building committees, grant application approvals and releasing a request for project proposals that will select an architectural firm for the design phase of the project,” according to��.��

The Stamford Advocate reported Smith hopes construction will begin in 2028 and that the new schools could be completed by 2030, subject to��state��grant approvals and other preconstruction steps, according to��.��

This article is based on reporting originally published by the Stamford Advocate, official materials posted by the Town of Southbury and Pomperaug Regional School District 15, and Region 15’s facilities project website in 2026. ()��

The post Connecticut Community Approves $95.6 Million Budget, $224 Million Bond for Two New Elementary Schools appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post Connecticut Community Approves $95.6 Million Budget, $224 Million Bond for Two New Elementary Schools appeared first on ���سԹ�.

• Cal State San Marcos held a topping-out ceremony April 24 for Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering, marking the placement of the final structural beam.��
• The��roughly 70,000-square-foot, three-story building is slated to open in fall 2027 with laboratories, a robotics suite and collaboration-focused learning space.��
• CSUSM leaders say the project supports expansion of engineering programs, including growth in engineering enrollment from about 500 students to��nearly 2,000��and a planned industrial and systems engineering program.��
• The project follows a July 31, 2025,��groundbreaking for what CSUSM then called the Integrated Science and Engineering Building, an estimated $110 million facility designed by HGA with C.W. Driver Companies as general contractor.����
• A $10 million gift from Hunter Industries helped advance the project and is tied to CSUSM’s $200 million “Blueprint for the Future” fundraising campaign.��

SAN MARCOS, Calif. — Cal State San Marcos celebrated a key construction milestone for its new Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering, bringing campus leaders,��donors��and community supporters together April 24 to mark the building’s topping out.����

The ceremony, a construction tradition that includes signing and lifting the final structural beam, highlights progress on a��roughly 70,000-square-foot, three-story facility��— designed by HGA being built by general contractor C.W. Driver Companies — is��scheduled to open in fall 2027.����

University officials said the new��$110 million��hall is intended to create��additional��capacity for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CSTEM) while supporting the campus’ emphasis on student success and social mobility.����

“This facility is social mobility in action.��It’s��about providing access for students, many of whom are the first in their families to go to college, stepping into fields that are shaping the future,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said, according to��an article from CSUSM��NewsCenter.��

Hunter Hall is expected to include��state-of-the-art��laboratories, a robotics suite and collaborative learning spaces. The project will help expand engineering enrollment from 500 to��nearly 2,000��students and support the launch of a new industrial and systems engineering program, building on existing electrical, software and computer engineering offerings.��

The three-story building��is being��constructed at the top of campus between Markstein Hall and the Arts Building and will��include teaching and research labs, classrooms, student support areas, staff offices, a��caf�and outdoor gathering spaces.��

Hunter Industries��has��committed a $10 million philanthropic investment to support construction��—��one of the largest gifts in university history.����

“An educated workforce is the foundation of a thriving economy,” said Greg Hunter, CEO of Hunter Industries, according to��an article from CSUSM��NewsCenter. “We are proud to deepen our partnership with CSUSM and invest in a facility that will empower students, strengthen our community and drive innovation for decades to come.”��

CSUSM said the gift helped advance its “Blueprint for the Future” campaign, which the university describes as its most ambitious fundraising effort to date, and positioned the project as part of broader plans to expand facilities and STEM programming.��

Get more weekly reports and��timely��updates by subscribing for free at��schoolconstructionnews.com/subscribe.��

The post CSUSM Marks Topping-Out Milestone for Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post CSUSM Marks Topping-Out Milestone for Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering appeared first on ���سԹ�.

• Colorado State University held an April 24 topping-out ceremony for the ATLAS Facility, a two-story laser research building on the Foothills Campus.
• The project team completed the structural steel frame for the 77,626-square-foot facility, with participants signing the final beam before placement.
• The $150 million public-private partnership includes CSU and Marvel Fusion, with additional support from the U.S. Department of Energy and other sources.
• Substantial completion is scheduled for December 2026, and the university anticipates an official opening in 2027.
• The specialized interior build-out will include cleanrooms and vibration-sensitive labs designed for high-performance laser research.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado State University marked a major construction milestone April 24 with a topping-out ceremony for the Advanced Technology Lasers for Applications and Science, or ATLAS, Facility, a project officials say will become one of the world’s most advanced laser research centers.��

The event recognized completion of the structural steel frame for the two-story, 77,626-square-foot building now rising on the university’s Foothills Campus near the Department of Atmospheric Science building. During the ceremony, faculty,��students��and staff were invited to sign the final beam before it was placed atop the structure, a longstanding construction tradition symbolizing progress and safety.��

“As the United States works to lead in areas like fusion energy and directed-energy technologies, facilities like this are essential,” said Cassandra Moseley, Vice President for Research at CSU. “ATLAS will serve as a critical testbed, bringing together academia, industry and government to accelerate innovation, strengthen energy security and ensure our competitiveness on a global stage. I’m grateful for our industry and federal partners who have been — and will be critical in making this vision for scientific progress a reality.

When complete, the ATLAS Facility is expected to house one of the most powerful laser systems in the world, supporting research in��fusion��energy,��medicine��and fundamental science. University leaders have said the project is intended to position Colorado State as a global hub for next-generation laser science and related technologies.��

The project is being delivered through a $150 million public-private partnership involving Colorado State University and Marvel Fusion, with��additional��support from the U.S. Department of Energy and other funding sources. The facility was developed by Tetrad Real Estate, designed by architecture and engineering firm SWBR, and is being built by McCarthy Building Companies.��

Ground��was broken on the project in fall 2024. Substantial completion is scheduled for December 2026, with an official opening��anticipated��in 2027.��

With the steel frame now in place, construction will shift to��enclosure��of the building exterior, followed by installation of mechanical,��electrical��and plumbing systems. Crews will then begin the specialized interior build-out��required��for high-performance research operations, including cleanrooms, vibration-sensitive laboratories and precision environments needed to support advanced laser equipment.��

Facilities of this type typically require stringent environmental controls to��maintain��stable temperature,��humidity��and air quality, while also minimizing vibration and electromagnetic interference that could affect experiments.��Those technical requirements often make research laboratories more complex than conventional academic buildings.��

University officials have said the ATLAS Facility will expand Colorado State’s long-standing leadership in laser and plasma science while creating opportunities for faculty recruitment, student��training��and industry collaboration. The project��also is��expected to attract visiting researchers and federal research partnerships.��

Fusion energy research has drawn increasing international attention in recent years as governments, universities and private companies pursue technologies that could provide large-scale carbon-free power. Laser-based systems are among several approaches under development to achieve controlled fusion reactions.��

Beyond research, the facility is expected to generate economic benefits for the Fort Collins region during both construction and operation. Large capital projects typically support jobs across the design,��engineering��and construction sectors, while new research infrastructure can create longer-term demand for technical talent,��suppliers��and related business activity.��

The topping-out ceremony also highlighted continued momentum on Colorado State’s Foothills Campus, which has become a center for research initiatives tied to engineering, atmospheric science,��energy��and technology.��

Once operational, ATLAS is expected to serve as a flagship asset for the university and a prominent addition to the state’s research infrastructure. Officials say the facility’s combination of scale, technical sophistication and partnerships could make it a significant contributor to scientific discovery for years to come.��

Get more weekly reports and timely updates by subscribing for free at��schoolconstructionnews.com/subscribe.

The post Colorado State University Tops Out Advanced Technology Lasers for Applications and Science appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post Colorado State University Tops Out Advanced Technology Lasers for Applications and Science appeared first on ���سԹ�.