Student Services Building, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

CO Architects

Nestled into the landscape, the Student Services Building makes a powerful visual statement, establishes a new landmark, and serves as a memorable place of arrival for prospective students, returning students, alumni and visitors. Its dramatic standing-seam aluminum roof demonstrates a commitment to sustainable operations and practices. Striking in design, the building draws inspiration from the surrounding mountains and foothills, articulating the landscape into the building’s shape and form. This project fulfills several of the university’s goals by establishing an iconic place on campus, streamlining the delivery of support services to students, and encouraging administrative collaboration. Divided into two distinct buildings covered by one unifying roof, the design provides maximum visibility and flexibility. A breezeway bisects the two buildings creating a shaded outdoor street connecting to the heart of the campus. The program provides a series of consolidated service centers on the first floor for a welcoming, transparent and efficient student service experience. Administrative departments are located directly above to ensure efficient and productive workflows, interdivisional and departmental collaboration. Sustainably designed and engineered, the Student Services Building uses the roof as the main performance driver and passive building ‘system’ to balance shade, heat gain and daylighting levels. The combination of the massing and geometry with highly efficient air systems, thermal mass through the concrete structure, access to views and daylight for all occupants, provides a holistic approach to sustainability and wellbeing. These strategies all contributed to an overall energy-use reduction of 65% and a USGBC LEED Platinum rating.