2025 West Best Projects
Award of Merit, Higher Education/Research: San Francisco State University West Grove Commons

San Francisco State University West Grove Commons
San Francisco
Award of Merit
Submitted by Havas Formula
Owner San Francisco State University
Lead Design Firm EHDD Architecture
General Contractor McCarthy Building Cos.
Civil Engineer CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group Inc.
Structural Engineer Rutherford & Chekene
MEP Engineer Interface Engineering Inc.
Food Service Ricca
Landscape Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture
As the fastest design-build project in San Francisco State University (SFSU) history, this $151-million student housing facility’s funding was contingent upon its opening in time for the 2024 academic year, with just 24 months for design and construction.
This swift delivery was vital not only to meet the academic calendar but also to respond to a compounding crisis in student housing, food access and wellness.
The project’s dining facility expands food security with an all-electric commercial kitchen, while the integrated health center consolidates medical, counseling and wellness services in one accessible location.
This six-story, all-electric residence hall delivers more than 700 beds tailored for first-year students and was the first project completed under California’s Affordable Student Housing Grant Program.
In addition to being LEED Gold equivalent, the project was an early adopter of Buy Clean California Act requirements and features future-ready infrastructure, including piping for potential cooling upgrades should climate conditions change.
Despite four separate union strikes that interrupted construction, the team delivered the project within budget and ahead of schedule.


