Ryan ChartrandPlans are currently underway for a new science and mathematics center to be constructed where the Science building is now. The design involves a 146,000-square-foot structure with state-of-the-art technology and lab facilities for its students.
This facility, commonly known as “the spider building” for its sprawling hallways, will become the largest and most innovative building in the California State University system with 29 laboratories, 10 classrooms, student and faculty research space, offices and conference rooms. A main goal of the center is to encourage and facilitate hands-on learning through integrating science labs and lectures into one space.
“I want to encourage more interaction. Education is all about communication,” said Philip Bailey, dean of the College of Math and Science.
Members of the building committee recently chose an architecture firm out of 14 firms that applied. The winning firm, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca (ZGF), has a long resume of university facilities. ZGF designed science centers for Cornell, USC, Arizona, Ohio State and Michigan. The reputable firm also configured the California Science Center and the California Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles.
From now the middle of 2008, plans for the building are limited to designs and working with the architects. The current construction timetable sets demolition of the Science building, starting with the north end, at summer quarter 2008. Construction is projected to last all of 2009, and the predicted completion date is in 2010.
The size of the building is not the only noteworthy element of the facility; the location will also hold significance for the Cal Poly campus.
“This building is going to be a defining landmark of our campus – and will place science and math at the center of our campus the same way they represent the center of a polytechnic curriculum,” Bailey said. “We have all the student residence halls with students entering as sophomores and freshmen from the east side of the building; and in a few years they will be finished here and exit the other side of the building.”
Along with the new building, the College of Math and Science expects an increase in enrollment for students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) because the area will be able to accommodate more students.
The building committee is working with the architects to create greater usable space within the building for studying and student-teacher interaction.
“As a younger student in the College of Math and Science, I am excited that this new building has the potential to be in my future here. A building like this could really affect someone interested in technology majors to choose this university,” mathematics freshman Carl Dargitz said.
Despite its focus on the math and science curriculum, the administration plans to create opportunities for students of all majors to take general education science classes in the center.
“We are looking to make the building intriguing with art and interactive displays. We want this to engage students’ curiosity, we don’t want science to be displayed as cold and divorced from culture,” Bailey said. “There are not as many students going into technology disciplines that the U.S. economy depends on; we need to change that.”
The extensive project will focus first on the actual math and science center, but there are other campus modifications near the building in the works as well. The building committee is also looking into creating an outdoor landscape in the area near the current south end of the science building, called Centennial Park.
The majority of funding for the project comes from the CSU system, which will provide $102 million. The department is also seeking $20 million in private donations for building enhancements. Another $6 million from private industry donations is being sought after to construct the Western Coatings Technology Center and the Environmental Biotechnology Institute, which will be designed to create student opportunities in real-life research.
Vision statements and preliminary design photos are available for student viewing on the Cal Poly Web site.