CSU Long Beach Student Union Feasibility Study

Long Beach, California

Detailed engagement process helps develop plan to meet fast-growing campus.

Built in the heart of the campus in 1969, the original University Student Union at California State University, Long Beach served a growing student population by providing a centralized space for student support services, governance and amenities. The CSULB campus expanded to the existing Union in 1997 to provide a total of 166,000 gross square feet of indoor space. However, as the campus continued to grow, space was at a premium.

In 2022, LPA was engaged to provide a vision for an expansion and renovation of the existing facility to create a vibrant, student-focused environment that supports student success and builds upon the campus’ rich architectural history. The result was a four-month student engagement process that included four iterative design charettes with student, staff and faculty leadership. Conceptual programs were developed for renovation of the existing Student Union; consolidation of student leadership and governance spaces; additional food services, including expansion to basic needs services; social and recreational spaces; and administrative space to support student success into a 50,000 gross-square-foot expansion of the facility. In addition to the proposed building improvements, the proposed conceptual design aimed to address accessibility and circulation challenges throughout the site, which straddles a 15-foot grade change from the lower to upper campus. The proposal creates a series of outdoor programmed decks for socializing, dining, and events that connect the existing Union to the proposed expansion, along with an indoor/outdoor “social stair” that connects the campus’ two levels.

You Might Also Like

Hoag Hospital Expansion

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI) Ambulatory Surgery Center

Bridge Diagnostics

RiverRock Real Estate Corporate Headquarters

California State University, San Bernardino Santos Manuel Student Union-North

UC Irvine Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark Feasibility Study

Edwards Lifesciences Campus Expansion

Chaffey College Library / Learning Resource Center Criteria Documents

Chaffey College Fontana Campus Criteria Documents

The Claremont Colleges New TCC Student Center Design Concept

UCSD Revelle College, York and Mayer Hall Renovations

Bienvivir Senior Health Services Facility