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Gilbane is providing "Collaborative Design-Build" services in partnership with HGA Architects for construction of the new Student Union building at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB). The facility will serve as the main circulation point between the transportation hub and the center of campus. It will house activity and retail spaces, meeting rooms, lounges, food service facilities, a bookstore, student government and organization space, and administrative and support areas.
The project is unique in that it is funded almost entirely through student fees, and will benefit from significant student input throughout the design process. An on-campus Information Campaign Team (ICT) has formed to solicit student engagement and help monitor progress of the project. As part of the campus' commitment to sustainability, the Student Union is targeting both LEED and LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE PETAL certifications.
The Living Building Challenge is a sustainable building certification program comprised of seven performance categories or petals. The petals are site, water, energy, health, materials, equity and beauty. The requirements are rigorous and certification is based on actual, not anticipated, performance. Therefore, projects must be operational for at least 12 months prior to evaluation.