C.W. Driver Opens Two Student Housing Buildings at CSUN

Both buildings are four stories tall, with the three top levels containing residences and one floor that holds administrative and multipurpose space. Joshua Tree Hall will hold community space, study rooms, and a large multi-purpose room, while Hibiscus Hall will house administrative offices for student housing facilities operations and mail services, among other gathering spaces.

The 60,290 square-foot project is equipped with safe and efficient fixtures throughout each of the complexes. Both buildings contain a central elevator, secure access, and building services. Additionally, the buildings underwent sitework and landscaping services to provide a courtyard connection to the campus’ student housing offices, food service complex – Geronimos & Bamboo Terrace, alongside outdoor dining; a shaded, permanent photovoltaic canopy; oversized ceiling fans and a large, outdoor TV for hosting movies and watching athletic games.

C.W. Driver incorporated sustainable features throughout Joshua Tree Hall and Hibiscus Hall, helping both buildings obtain the LEED Gold certification.

C.W. Driver worked swiftly with its partners to build the student housing complexes ever since the project broke ground in May 2023. The turnaround greatly benefited CSUN as the demand for student housing continues to grow, post the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The demand for student housing is high for universities across California.” said John Kately, project executive, C.W. Driver Companies. “It was a pleasure to collaborate with CSUN to deliver two robust housing facilities that tailor to the needs of all students.”

Each building contains dual occupancy rooms, with four students sharing each bathroom. These rooms were built to foster connectivity while maintaining elements of privacy. Additionally, each floor has one suite-style living room, inviting students to collaborate or unwind in a comfortable setting.

“CSUN has worked with C.W. Driver over the years and we appreciate their collaboration in developing student housing that truly meets the needs of our students.” said Noah Rubin, Campus Architect at CSUN.

C.W. Driver partnered again with architect AC Martin on Joshua Tree Hall and Hibiscus Hall, phase three of CSUN’s Freshman Student Housing plan.

A $37.5M affordable housing grant from the California Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program funded part of the project.

Freshman Student Housing Phase 3 (Hibiscus Hall + Joshua Tree Hall) is C.W. Driver’s 5th project at CSUN. Previous projects include Freshman Student Housing Phase 2 with AC Martin, Student Recreation Center, The Soraya Performing Arts Center, and the Physical Education Building, which was completed in 1997 and started their relationship with CSUN.

The firm’s portfolio includes a wide range of innovation-driven educational projects throughout California, such as CSU Dominguez Hills’ Student Housing & Dining Commons, Ph. IV, the Health, Wellness, and Recreation Center. Center for Science & Innovation and Innovation & Instruction Building; California State University Fullerton’s ECS Innovation Hub and Visual Arts Campus; CSU San Bernardino – Coyote Village and Coyote Commons and Palm Desert Campus, Student Services; CSU San Marcos – Integrated Science & Engineering Building and Student Health & Counseling Building; and UC Santa Barbara’s Interactive Learning Pavilion and Davidson Library, Addition & Renewal.

About C.W. Driver Companies

Feature Image Courtesy of: C.W. Driver Co