Project Overview

This cutting-edge, 66,000-square-foot facility will serve as a critical hub for Imperial Valley’s growing educational and workforce demands. Located on San Diego State University’s Imperial Valley Campus in Brawley, California, the Science and Engineering Laboratories will house state-of-the-art lower and upper division teaching labs, interdisciplinary lecture spaces, 45 faculty and administrative offices and specialized areas for research and services.

Through a collaborative design-build delivery method, Sundt was able to partner with the university to help determine the project vision. Once complete, 70% of the building includes laboratory spaces, significantly more than standard. It is designed to foster collaboration between academia, industry and government, especially in light of the region’s emergence as a major player in lithium production. Brawley is home to one of the largest lithium deposits in the world, a critical resource for electric vehicle battery manufacturing. As Lithium Valley grows, this facility will serve as a cornerstone for innovation, offering opportunities for students, researchers and public-private partners to engage in cutting-edge work that supports the transition to renewable energy and a green economy.