CSU San Bernardino Center for Global Innovation

Three-tiered structure provides home base for international students

CSU San Bernardino's large international student population became the driving force behind the design of the university’s Center for Global Innovation. Sited at the heart of campus, the three-story building features offset floor plates to shape a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces that encourage different types of student interaction.

The design calls for the 70,000-square-foot building to be located adjacent to the existing student union, sharing resources, outdoor spaces and a connection at the ground level. The first floor contains the new bookstore, dining hall and student activity spaces, including a bowling alley, student pub, video game room, retail and lounge areas. Above the bookstore volume, an elevated plaza leads to the second-level, 12,000-square-foot conference center and meeting space. The quieter top floor houses student services, administrative offices and support areas.

Each of the three main programmatic components (amenities, convention center and administration) are designed with a unique identity: the amenities spaces on the first floor are clad in glass; the convention center on the second floor uses primarily textured metal; and the large top-floor volume is wrapped in thin, ultra-high-performance concrete panels. The result is a series of distinctively stacked volumes that simplify wayfinding and create a sense of interplay between functions.

The central lobby, inspired by typical town squares found in many cities around the world, is conceived as a "global gallery," a dynamic yet comfortable space that gives foreign students a home base. With digital screens, writable surfaces and flexible furniture, students can gather to study, share ideas or relax and enjoy the surrounding mountain views. The project also includes a destination rooftop terrace.

Due to the building's proximity to California’s San Andreas fault, designers incorporated enhanced structural components. The project is designed to meet LEED Platinum certification.