C.W. Driver Unveils $54M Innovation Hub for California State University Fullerton: A Transformational Space for Engineering and Computer Science

In a June 9 news release, C.W. Driver, a 106-year-old general contractor and construction manager based in Pasadena, California, announced the start of construction on a $54 million engineering and computer science building at California State University Fullerton. The 45,000-square-foot Innovation Hub will support the university's burgeoning enrollment growth, which has experienced a 147% increase in the past decade and is projected to reach 8,000 students by the 2028-2029 academic year. The build is being funded by $67.5 million from the state budget, according to the university. The Innovation Hub will house specialized dry labs for disciplines including computing, robotics, materials testing, and cyber security, organized in clusters and designed to be flexible to adapt to evolving industry demands and workforce needs. The building will also feature student lounges, study rooms, wellness and meeting areas, makerspaces, and equipment rooms. Immersive learning spaces will allow students to engage in real-world, project-based experiences. "This is more than just a new building—it’s a transformational space that will launch careers, drive innovation, and fuel economic growth across the region," said Jamie Macartney, project executive at C.W. Driver, in the release. C.W. Driver has completed a number of educational projects across the state, including the recent $60 million Visual Arts Campus at CSUF. Other projects in the builder's portfolio include MiraCosta College’s Chemistry & Biotechnology Building, Mt. San Jacinto College’s STEM Science & Technology Buildings, CSU Dominguez Hills’ Center for Science & Innovation, and UC Santa Barbara’s Interactive Learning Pavilion. Project partners for the Innovation Hub include San Francisco-based architectural and planning firm Gensler, Los Angeles-based structural engineer Saiful Bouquet, Long Beach-based consultancy P2S, San Diego-based landscape architect LandLab, and Seattle-based consulting engineer KPFF. The project is slated for completion in spring 2027.