Daily Sundial

CSUN’s Facilities Planning, Design and Construction department said the Sierra lobby renovation project is complete.

Maureen Shideh, Manager of Space Planning for Facilities Planning, said they are waiting for a Sierra Hall “signage piece” to be placed inside the lobby, but other than that the project is finished.

Shideh said they wanted to give the lobby a “2006 look.”

Sean Clerkin, from Clerkin ‘ Clerkin Architects, the Pasadena firm that handled the renovations, said they wanted “to provide a place that was more welcoming and friendly for the students.”

Mattly Moore, sophomore music major, said the new lobby is “pleasantly invigorating,” and his favorite part is the wood accents on the walls.

The renovations started in the summer of 2005 and have cost approximately $350,000, according to Shideh. Some of the improvements made to the Sierra Hall lobby included a new ceiling, new paint, new lighting, and new seating.

The benches now featured in the lobby, which just arrived over winter break, were an entirely new addition.

Clerkin said that instead of students sitting on the floor waiting for their classes, they wanted to give the students “a place where they would feel comfortable to gather and to chat as they wait.”

According to Shideh, projects such as renovating the lobby of Sierra Hall are considered in order need.

Shideh said that since Sierra Hall is the largest classroom building and students from every discipline most likely have classes there, renovating its lobby was an important project.

“A nice environment always enhances anyone’s experience,” said Shideh.

The lobby renovations were also encouraged by the improvements that were done to the lobby of Bayramian Hall, formerly known as the Students’ Services Building, in 2001.

Shideh said that the 2001 renovations, which included adding artwork to the walls, were very successful and they wanted to translate that to other buildings.

“That building is really the hub of making a student successful,” said Shideh regarding Bayramian Hall.

Renovating Bayramian Hall cost approximately $150,000, he said.

Comparing the two costs, Shideh attributed the expense of the Sierra lobby renovation project to a 60 percent increase in construction.

Kelly Caldwell, a Pierce Community College student who wants to transfer to CSUN next year, said she likes the “sunlit aspect” of the new Sierra lobby.

In reference to the whole campus Caldwell said, “I think it’s gorgeous.”

Some other projects on the way will be done to the Art and Design Center and the Science Building. The Art and Design Center will be getting a new lab and new classrooms. A chemistry lab in the Science Building will be renovated.

Clerkin ‘ Clerkin are not new to CSUN’s campus. They have worked on it before, doing other renovations.

William Fairchild, Manager of Capital Programs for Facilities Planning, also participated in the planning of the Sierra lobby renovation project.

Jen Balao can be reached at jlb72340@csun.edu.