Gilbane Building Company Breaks Ground on CSUN’s Sierra Annex
Northridge, CA – May 3, 2022 – Gilbane Building Company joined California State University, Northridge administrators and design consultants to break ground on the new 62,000 SF Sierra Annex. The $43.4 million building will be located immediately south of its sister building, Sierra Hall. The groundbreaking event was held on Friday, April 29.
Sierra Annex will include a 3,050 SF lecture hall, two additional lecture halls, four seminar rooms, and many large classrooms. The modern design focuses on using natural light, maximizing flexibility, and encouraging collaboration amongst students and professors. While Sierra Hall’s 1960s design has many interior, dark classrooms, Sierra Annex will take full advantage of natural light in its classrooms and atrium to foster a more welcoming environment. Additionally, the classrooms in the new Sierra Annex will be the most adaptable on campus, including furniture that can be configured for lectures or breakout sessions. California State University, Northridge hopes to enhance student teamwork by including seating areas in the lobby, corridors, and waiting areas that are bright, flexible, and inspirational.
This will be the campus’ first new academic building since 2009. However, Gensler and Gilbane Building Company partnered with California State University, Northridge to design and build the campus’ award-winning Associated Students Sustainability Center in 2017.
“Gilbane Building Company has enjoyed strong working relationships with both California State University, Northridge and Gensler,” said Raul Rosales, Area Manager at Gilbane Building Company. “We are excited to be working on this inspiring project that will not only be an iconic building on campus, but improve the student’s academic experience as well.”
Sierra Annex is expected to open at the start of the fall 2023 semester. All colleges will be welcome to use the general-purpose classrooms Sierra Annex will provide. The additional capacity will allow classes to be shifted when renovations begin at Sierra Hall in 2025.
About Gilbane Building Company
Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services – from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build and facility management services – for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide.
Gilbane delivers construction management services in Southern California for clients across multiple market sectors including commercial, education, healthcare, public sector, science and technology. With Gilbane’s office in downtown Los Angeles, Gilbane’s local team lives and works in the community delivering an award-winning portfolio that continues to grow. For more information, visit www.gilbaneco.com.