Students at Sonoma State University now have nearly a dozen new dining options for the spring semester with Sundt Construction, Inc.’s completion of the $54 million Student Center.

Serving as a new hub of student life, the 130,000-sq-ft, three-story education construction project is situated in the heart of the Rohnert Park, Calif., campus. Featuring a modern design by Hornberger + Worstell Architects, the Student Center centralizes several amenities and services for students, including dining, studying, shopping, student government, alumni relations and more. The building boasts 11 kitchens that support a number of eateries ranging from a cafeteria, multiple food kiosks, a pub and a high-end restaurant.

"The kitchens and dining spaces required a lot of attention, from a construction standpoint," said Sundt Senior Project Manager Ron Deal. "All of the utilities, equipment and high-end finishes they contain require a level of precision and planning that is much more demanding than offices or meeting rooms. This particular facility is also unusual because there are kitchens on all three levels. We spent a lot of time getting them just right."

The new Student Center’s design, which features a three-story interior staircase visible from the outside through expansive glass walls, complements the look of the adjacent Student Recreation Center, with liberal use of glass, stucco and metal panels. On the top floor, the facility includes a ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,694 people, as well as a sophisticated restaurant to serve the needs of the University president, alumni, visiting parents and others.

Meeting the University’s sustainability goals, the Student Center incorporates a number of green features, such as a high-efficiency HVAC system, ample daylighting and a passive system for smoke control and air movement that uses louvers instead of fans.

The Student Center, which was partially funded by students through a voter-approved fee increase, was completed in October 2013 and officially opened on Nov. 13.