On Jan. 13, 2025, PennWest California announced that a new building, the California Science Center, would be constructed on the campus to enable more opportunities for students studying the sciences. Covering a total of 63,500 square feet and three stories in height, the building will be dedicated to advanced study and research in biology, physics, and chemistry. The majority of the building’s space will house laboratories and learning spaces for students to pursue their respective science degrees.
Among the spaces that will be within the building, there will be 19 science support spaces and 17 modern lab spaces that are tailored to accommodate a variety of different scientific disciplines. The current distribution of lab spaces planned is as follows: 3 physics labs, 3 anatomy and physiology labs, 2 microbiology labs, 2 ecology and ichthyology labs, 2 general chemistry labs, 2 organic chemistry labs, and 1 inorganic and physical chemistry lab.
Additional spaces to be accounted for include a separate greenhouse building, a curated herbarium, and a dedicated biology research lab. Part of a separate project, there are plans to create a new outdoor area between Watkins Hall and the New Science Building. To enable the appropriate amount of area needed for the space’s creation, Frich Hall and New Science Hall will be demolished. Once both buildings are demolished, open lawn areas will take their place. Lawn spaces are planned to include an outdoor seating area, a greenhouse, and a stepped seating area integrated with a rain garden.
Energy sustainability is another projected benefit of the building’s creation, with energy-efficient electrical features that are expected to reduce energy consumption by 20%. Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. James Fisher had a featured quote on the PennWest webpage about the science building:
“The new state-of-the-art science building at PennWest California will provide students with cutting-edge facilities and flexible lab spaces designed to adapt to evolving educational needs,” Fisher expressed, showing promise and hope for what new opportunities could be achieved.
The construction of the California Science Center has already begun, with a projected completion date for all projects in the spring of 2027.
