Sundt completes LEED Gold CSU lab facility

Camarillo, Calif. — Sundt Construction, Inc. recently completed construction of the new California State University Channel Islands (CI) Sierra Hall classroom and laboratory building in Camarillo. The $32 million project included demolition and abatement of the original West Hall building, courtyard walls, and a small outbuilding. Sundt then constructed the new three-story, 66,500-square-foot Sierra Hall in the old facility’s place. The new structure houses cutting-edge science labs, offices, lecture halls, and related support spaces to accommodate growth in the departments of computer science, environmental science, geography, geology, psychology and physics.

“We worked closely with the building’s designer, CO Architects, to ensure the facility has all of the modern amenities expected of a state-of-the-art teaching and research space, while maintaining a look that blends seamlessly with the surrounding historic architecture,” said Robert Stokes, Sundt regional director for Southern California. “Sierra Hall not only lends an attractive addition to the university’s Central Mall area, but also provides the campus with flexible, efficient space to meet each program’s needs.”

Sierra Hall is designed to meet LEED Gold certification. Its innovative and sustainable design includes the use of recycled and renewable building materials and energy-efficient windows and lighting controls that enhance daylighting and shut off when rooms are not occupied. Together, the green features will ensure the building remains 28 percent more energy efficient than what is required by code.

Sierra Hall is the first of two projects Sundt is completing on the CI campus. Sundt is also constructing the university’s new Santa Rosa Village student housing complex, which is expected to be completed next year. Other notable Sundt education projects completed across the state include the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union for San Diego State University in San Diego; the University of California, Davis’ Veterinary Medicine 3B Building in Davis; and the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Recreation Expansion in San Luis Obispo.