Colorado State University Nancy Richardson Design Center

Designing a collaborative hub where creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship converge.

The Nancy Richardson Design Center was created to provide Colorado State University students with a dynamic environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation across multiple design disciplines. Strategically positioned adjacent to CSU’s on-campus stadium, the facility establishes a distinctive identity through its unique orientation, intentionally set off-axis from surrounding campus buildings to reflect its forward-thinking mission and architectural character.

Delivered through a design-build partnership between Saunders and Oz Architecture, the 45,000-square-foot, three-story facility was envisioned as a center for interdisciplinary learning and professional development. The building brings together multiple design-focused programs under one roof, creating opportunities for students, faculty, and industry partners to collaborate, exchange ideas, and engage in hands-on learning experiences.

The center was designed to support modern design education through cutting-edge technology, flexible learning environments, and spaces that encourage experimentation and innovation. As a hub for design thinking and entrepreneurship, the facility provides students with access to the tools, resources, and collaborative environments necessary to develop creative solutions to real-world challenges.

In addition to its interior learning spaces, the building incorporates outdoor areas that support a variety of functions, including informal collaboration, events, and student gatherings. These spaces extend the learning environment beyond the classroom and contribute to a vibrant campus experience.

Completed in time to welcome students for the Spring 2019 semester, the Nancy Richardson Design Center has become a cornerstone of CSU’s design programs, providing a modern academic environment that inspires creativity, supports interdisciplinary collaboration, and prepares students for successful careers in design and innovation.

The result is a distinctive and highly functional educational facility that advances CSU’s commitment to experiential learning while serving as a catalyst for creativity, entrepreneurship, and design excellence.

This project received LEED Gold Certification in 2018.