SSU Stevenson Hall Renovation

Integral to Sonoma State University’s mission is a deep commitment to social equity, diversity and inclusion. The transformed Stevenson Hall will embody and support these ideals. The new Stevenson Hall will foster a strong sense of belonging, gathering, and community. It will be a truly interdisciplinary building, bringing together multiple departments in a way that encourages meaningful collaboration and synergy.

Peeling away the original concrete walls and replacing them with an open and transparent exterior dissolves the building’s perceived heaviness and lends brightness to the interior spaces. During the day, light will pour in. At night, light will pour out. For the first time in 52 years, the dynamic and vibrant interior life of the building will become visible to the campus. The natural beauty of the surrounding landscape will become visible from the interior.

Enclosing the exterior courtyard with a glass roof, an open, light-filled atrium will occupy the heart of the building. Each floor level will open up to and overlook the atrium; surrounding it will be collaborative spaces and informal meeting spaces. As a constant source of orientation and light, the atrium will also improve wayfinding for faculty and students.

This transformed Stevenson Hall will be a model of sustainability and stewardship. A new, high-performance envelope will dramatically improve energy efficiency, air quality, and daylighting. New interior materials will have warmth and texture. It will be a building that is modern and elegant, aligned with 21st teaching and learning, and yet will not shout for attention. It will simply exist well, inviting richness of learning and use.