C.W. Driver Companies, a premier builder serving California since 1919, today celebrated the completion of the new student services building at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Serving as a new “front door” to the university, the three-story, 138,400-square-foot structure consists of two buildings beneath a one-of-a-kind undulating roof that uses natural solar power to regulate the building’s temperature and energy efficiency.
The new student services building plays a critical role in the long-term development of the university, increases operational efficiency and enables growth. It replaces former student services and administration areas and consolidates key departments located elsewhere on campus. It also will serve as an easily accessible, one-stop service center to facilitate access, increase visibility and streamline operations for students and staff.
“Cal Poly Pomona’s new student services building’s incomparable aesthetic and energy efficient design make it a perfect fit for an institution nationally recognized for its unique approach to learning and advancements in engineering,” said Jeff Marshall, senior project manager at C.W. Driver Companies. “C.W. Driver is proud to bring its expertise constructing challenging projects for colleges and universities to this campus and be a part of a project as special as this.”
Inspired by Pomona’s surrounding hills and mountains, the structure’s roof design helps the building reach its desired LEED Platinum Certification. Without the use of mechanical and electrical devices, the roof efficiently collects, stores and distributes solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and rejects solar heat in the summer.
Designed by CO Architects, the intricate curved steel and concrete roof regulates the building’s temperature through its solid and perforated panels. The roof shades the exterior glass windows, reducing glare and maximizing natural daylight.
“This stunning facility epitomizes Cal Poly Pomona’s standing as a student-focused university,” said Cal Poly Pomona President Soraya M. Coley. “As the new gateway to our physical campus, the Student Services Building greatly enhances the beauty of our university while likewise bolstering our collaborative efforts to serve our students.”
Cal Poly Pomona, located in Los Angeles County, is known for its hands-on approach to education, with faculty incorporating real-world experiences into their classrooms and teaching theory through application. It is one of two polytechnic universities in California and is a national leader in helping students achieve economic success. The university has approximately 26,000 students.
C.W. Driver Companies’ portfolio includes a collection of noteworthy higher education projects in Southern California. These include Biola University’s Center for Science, Technology & Health; San Diego Community College District’s Mesa College Fine Arts Building; California State University Dominguez Hills’ Science and Innovation Building; Chapman University’s Keck Center for Science and Engineering and California State University’s San Bernardino Student Housing & Dining Commons.
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