The University of California, Berkeley has announced plans to renovate and expand the College of Engineering’s Bechtel Engineering Center.

To date, the university has raised more than $74 million in gifts—including a $30 million challenge match grant from an anonymous donor—for the project, which is estimated to cost $95 million. Construction will begin in 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2025, adding 35,000 square feet of space designed for energy-efficient operation—including sunlight shading, storm-water management, water conservation—and use sustainably extracted building materials.

According to the university, engineering student enrollment has increased by more than 80 percent since 1980, when the current student center was built. The new complex will house engineering student services including academic advising, tutoring, counseling, and other student-oriented programs, as well as spaces for activities that support diversity and foster inclusion, in addition to K-12 outreach programs.

“The renovation and expansion of our Engineering Student Center reflects a transformation in the culture of engineering to be more welcoming and inclusive,” said College of Engineering dean Tsu-Jae King Liu. “Berkeley Engineering students will go on to design and build the future; we want the place where they learn, collaborate and innovate together to support and inspire them to make our world more equitable, healthy and sustainable for all.”

(Photo credit: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill)