Cal Poly Student Housing San Luis Obispo, California
Now the largest student housing project underway in the State of California, Cal Poly's Student Housing Program will enhance student success by expanding on-campus housing and programming, fostering a stronger campus community, and improving affordability and accessibility for students from diverse backgrounds.
Location
San Luis Obispo, California
Sector
Education
Service
Architecture
Client
Cal Poly
Status
Under Construction
Size
4,100 Beds (New); 1,300 Beds (Renovation)
The Student Housing Program site is centrally located east of Cal Poly’s academic core, bordered by Cerro Vista and Poly Canyon Village to the north, and Sierra Madre, Yosemite Halls, and yakʔitʸutʸu residential communities to the south. This strategic positioning promotes connectivity within the campus community, making it a pivotal hub for student life and engagement.
The new housing at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo will be planned to create a unified student community, featuring smaller “neighborhoods” and a harmonious landscape that seamlessly incorporates both existing and new structures. Enhancements to the Red Bricks landscape and pedestrian pathways will prioritize student connectivity throughout the campus and create new open areas on campus, enhancing student experiences. Given the quick construction timeline of this program, the new housing utilizes steel modular construction for efficiency, quality control, and construction speed.
The design integrates well with existing residential halls utilizing facade articulation to maintain scale and proportion to the surrounding areas. The color and material palette draw from campus natural aesthetics fostering a unique yet cohesive architectural style. The design emphasizes material richness and modern residential quality while honoring Cal Poly’s traditions.
Key elements include nine new housing buildings (4,100 beds) and renovation of six Red Brick halls (1,300 beds), alongside student support spaces promoting academic, social, and wellness activities. This program represents a strategic investment in Cal Poly’s housing future, prioritizing student needs, inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability to create an environment where every student can thrive academically and personally.