Mass timber delivers practical and scalable solutions for institutions integrating sustainability and innovation.
Swinerton Builders (Swinerton), California’s premier general contractor, and its mass timber partner Timberlab, are proud to announce the completion of the new University Services Building at California State University, Chico (Chico State)—a first for the California University System and a key milestone in Swinerton’s expanding portfolio of sustainable higher education infrastructure in California.
Delivered through a design-build partnership with Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture, the $14.5 million, 22,132-square-foot, two-story facility consolidates campus operations into a single, efficient, and forward-looking structure. Mass timber elements—orchestrated by Timberlab—serve as both a sustainable and aesthetic choice, enhancing the workspace with biophilic warmth while significantly reducing embodied carbon.
This project illustrates Swinerton’s deep expertise in design-build delivery, a method that fosters early collaboration, improves cost and schedule certainty, and empowers teams to make informed, valuedriven decisions from day one. Swinerton worked closely with Dreyfuss + Blackford, Buehler Engineering, and Chico State to establish clear performance goals and develop a flexible, efficient design that met Chico State’s evolving operational needs—all while navigating complex site constraints and a tight campus footprint.
“As a graduate of Chico State, it’s incredibly meaningful to contribute to a project that supports the dayto-
day functions of this campus and enhances the well-being of its staff,” says Matthew Beyer, Swinerton Project Executive. “This building is a testament to what can happen when innovation, collaboration, sustainability, and community pride come together.”
The project was completed on time and on budget despite material lead time challenges and seasonal weather conditions. The prefabrication of structural timber components played a critical role in accelerating the schedule and minimizing disruption to ongoing campus activities.
“Chico State’s new University Services Building demonstrates how mass timber isn’t just for showpieces—it’s a practical, scalable solution for institutional spaces that care about performance, wellness, and long-term value,” says Lisa Podesto, Swinerton Director of Preconstruction – Mass Timber.
The University Services Building reflects Chico State’s and the CSU system’s growing commitment to building responsibly in the face of a changing climate. With clean lines, abundant daylight, and regionally sourced materials, the facility is expected to serve as a model for future sustainable development across campus.
This project follows the momentum of Swinerton’s other education-sector work, including the $132 million in mass timber projects currently underway at Cal Poly Humboldt and the mass timber LEED® Gold Advanced Technology and Education Park (ATEP) project for South Orange County Community College District in Tustin, CA, completed last year. Together, these efforts underscore a shared vision across institutions to deliver carbon smart, community-centered buildings for the next generation of learners.
Swinerton continues to support the future of construction in the region by actively engaging with the Chico State Construction Management program, offering project tours, internships, and mentorship to students, many of whom have contributed to recent campus projects.
