With the academic calendar set in stone, PCL works tirelessly to ensure the appropriate staffing and schedule to ensure each higher education construction project is completed on time and ready for the school year to begin. When construction takes place while classes are in session, our decades of experience have taught us the best ways to minimize disruption so students make it to class on time and are ready to focus.
PCL has built housing for thousands of students throughout our history, gaining a deep understanding of their needs for accessible and convenient living spaces. Among our most prominent student housing projects are the award-winning UCLA Olympic and Centennial Residence Halls, which span 343,000 square feet across eight to ten stories and have a capacity of 1,800 beds.
STEM students and faculty at higher education institutions are driving groundbreaking research that promises to benefit future generations. Their work spans crucial areas such as climate change, disease prevention and treatment, all of which demand state-of-the-art facilities. PCL excels in constructing these specialized spaces. A notable example is the Center for Coastal Studies at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus, where critical research on coastal erosion and rising sea levels due to climate change is conducted.
· At PCL, we understand that higher education thrives on close-knit communities that foster collaboration and connection. We take pride in creating facilities that unite staff and students, like the CSU San Marcos Student Union. This four-story building features a 400-seat outdoor amphitheater that links to student lounges, study areas, retail spaces and cafes. Serving as the campus "living room," this indoor-outdoor facility encourages student interaction and engagement.
Legislation across many regions of North America now mandates environmentally conscious construction, especially for publicly funded projects like those on college campuses. Universities are incorporating sustainable construction into their campuses through elements like solar power, geothermal technology and the use of mass timber.
PCL Construction is at the forefront of this initiative, specializing in both retrofitting existing buildings with sustainable features and constructing new, environmentally friendly structures. A notable example is the University of Denver’s Burwell Center for Career Achievement. This LEED Platinum-certified building, constructed entirely from mass timber, is the first 100% mass timber structure in Colorado. The PCL team self-performed the mass timber erection, using fast-growing timber to reduce the long-term impact of logging. By using mass timber, PCL was able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 50%. The project also includes solar photovoltaic panels to supply the building’s energy. This innovative facility embodies the future of both sustainable construction and career development.
Universities across North America are investing in state-of-the-art research facilities, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. These projects often include advanced laboratories and innovation hubs equipped with the latest technology. PCL Construction has established itself as a leader in building state-of-the-art research facilities, particularly in the field of STEM. A prime example of PCL's expertise is the University of Ottawa’s STEM Complex. [SG1]
The University of Ottawa experienced rapid growth in its science and engineering programs, prompting the need for a new, cutting-edge facility to support this expansion. PCL Construction played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life, ensuring the space meets the diverse needs of students, faculty and researchers alike.
The STEM Complex at the University of Ottawa features advanced labs and collaborative environments that cater to high-caliber research in physics, as well as structural, mechanical and civil engineering. To comply with deadlines driven by federal funding, PCL delivered the project on an accelerated 24-month schedule. The facility is LEED Gold certified and achieves Net Zero energy for heating in the winter. Through PCL’s expertise, the STEM Complex is positioned to advance research, foster innovation and enhance collaboration, helping shape the future of science and technology.