New Horticulture/Lab School/STEM Lab

Q2 2026 Project Update 

March 

Since November 2025, selected Architect of Record (AOR), Gensler, kicked off the Design Phase on December 12, 2025 with all involved parties. Since then, the firm began holding meetings with the Building User Group to identify departmental needs. In January, the AOR met individually with each department; all findings were later collated and presented to the larger group.

April 

Architect of Record, Gensler, is anticipated to complete the Schematic Design Drawings by May 1; the drawing package is expected to be reviewed by the Campus Project Team with the District prior to its submittal to the State Chancellor’s Office in mid-May 2026 for its consideration and approval. Upon receiveing approval, the project will roceed with the remaining phases of design.

May

Architect of Record, Gensler, with input from the Building User Group, developed the final preliminary plans package, consisting of an exploratory design including broad sketches of spaces, logistics, and site plans.

However, the Campus Project Team, Fullerton Leadership, and District are addressing a potential difference in the plausible cost of construction and the allotted budget available. The Team is engaging with the AOR to explore scope of work revisions to resolve the gap prior to proceeding with a review by the State Chancellor’s Office.

Conversations are underway with the state to determine next steps for the preliminary plan process. The State Chancellor’s Office will then initiate its review of the document for design conformity. If the package is acceptable, the project will be greenlit to proceed forward to the Department of Finance for additional review and potential dispensation of funding for the next phase of design. Upon receiving authorization to proceed, the working drawings are expected to start in the second half of 2026. This phase will involve refining the design into a buildable project with an eye on the required materials, systems, and layouts as well as the final blueprint for DSA consideration.

The Campus Project Team and Design Team are conducting meetings with the Building User Group and Department Dean to identify swing space needs and the feasibility of existing options to fulfill department and campus requirements for the duration of construction. Additional conversations are taking place with the Vice President of Instruction to assess site adjustments to potential swing space locations to support this goal. The continuation of this process is predicated on the resolution of the budget gap described above.

A Board Agenda Item was approved for Amendment No. 1, to increase the contract of Architect of Record, Gensler, for the duration of the design phase based on the latest project estimate. Gensler’s contract has been amended to increase by an associated eight percent architect and engineering fee. The amendment was subsequently executed by the District.