Opened in Fall 2021, this 110,200-square-foot facility is not only the most state-of-the-art building on campus, but also one of the most visionary buildings within the 23-campus California State University system. Designed for energy efficiency, the Science Building is certified LEED Gold by the US Green Building Council rating system, and features spaces for the Earth and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, and Science Education departments. Beyond science majors, students studying education, engineering, agriculture, and other fields take classes here, and many general education science classes are also held in the Science Building. The green space just outside the building is called Bahapki Commons in honor of the native people who originally inhabited the grounds. Bahapki was a Mechoopda village on the banks of Big Chico Creek where the campus is today.
photo credit: Jason Halley
The Science Building uses two bioswales (also referred to as rain gardens) and four flow-through planters to prevent stormwater runoff into neighboring Big Chico Creek. Instead, disconnected downspouts divert rooftop water to the bioswales and native planters along its perimeter, which restores natural watershed processes and filters metals and organic contaminants.
photo credit: Jason Halley
Designed with student success in mind, the new building includes active-learning classrooms, undergraduate and graduate research spaces, student conference rooms, faculty offices, and administrative and support areas. In addition, there are many collaborative workspaces for students to gather to brainstorm, work in groups, study, and advance cross-disciplinary projects, as well as dedicated spaces for individual clubs that give students space for tutoring, mentoring, and other projects.
photo credit: Jason Halley