Project Updates | Stanford GSE

What’s going on behind the fence? Learn more about the latest progress as the new home of the GSE takes shape.

The entry to the new south building got its new glass façade in October. (Photo courtesy of McCarthy Construction)

August–October 2024

South building installation of windows and “glazed curtain wall” (exterior glass wall) nearing completion
Grading of the sunken garden (north building) underway
Wall layout and window restoration in the north building in progress

An overhead image of the north building construction site, with the floor, framing, and staircases of the forum taking shape — A crane lifts steel beams as the new north building forum framing and staircases take shape. June 2024 (Photo courtesy McCarthy Construction)

June–July 2024

North building center core foundation complete
Framing of the north building forum and staircases in progress
Installation of walls and doors in the south building underway
Installation of windows in the south building ongoing

Image of workers on scaffolding working on structural framing, with four levels of a building visible — With the north building basement, first, second, and third floors visible, workers continue shoring and structural support. (April 2024)

March–May 2024

North building interior demolition complete
North building upgrade of foundation and substructure continues, along with shoring, structural support, and footings for the center core.
Exterior wall framing underway for the south building, as interior wall layout continues

Wait! Where is the old auditorium? View of the north building after center core removal, from the south building fourth floor

January–February 2024

North building center core (former auditorium plus south-facing rooms) is removed to make way for construction of the forum.
South building structural steel, metal decking, and steel stairway completed.
South building interior wall framing begins.

Steel beams are being installed on the South building — With daily deliveries of structural steel, the new south building takes shape rapidly.

October–November 2023

Construction of the steel structure for the south building gets underway in early October, with placement of the final beam ("Topping Off") on October 31.
Excavation for the sunken garden is completed.
Shoring up of the north building begins, in preparation for reconfiguration of interior spaces.

Construction site — The site of the new south building, viewed from the third floor of the north building

August-September 2023

Permits are issued by the county.
Construction of the new south building begins!
Dirt hauling from excavation work continues; excavation of the sunken garden begins.
Rebar delivery and concrete pouring begin.
Utility work continues along Lasuen Mall.

Construction site with North building roof tiles being removed — Removing the roof tiles from the historic north building

June-July 2023

North building roof tiles are removed and salvaged for reinstallation later.
An existing PG&E gas line needs to be relocated because it runs under the south building site.
Utility work includes tie-ins to lake water for irrigation, replacing power lines, and adding hot water pipes.
Asbestos abatement is completed in the north building.

The entrance to the south building will be a wall of glass. Framing was installed in October. (Photo: Joleen Richards)

A peek into the new office space in the south building in October 2024 (Photo: Joleen Richards)

Staff takes a look at the new north building atrium on a construction site tour October 16, 2024. (Photo: Joleen Richards)

Professor Ira Lit chats with senior project manager Mike Mithen as faculty members take in the view from the fourth floor of the new south building. May 9, 2024 (Photo: Ryan Zhang)

Once the metal decking of the new north building forum is complete, staircases and concrete slabs for the floors are added. July 2024 (Photo: McCarthy Construction Co.)

In June 2024, framing of the new forum space in the north building began. (Photo: McCarthy Construction Co.)

The light, airy room that used to house the library will become an event space, with its historic windows and original brick preserved. May 9, 2024 (Photo: Ryan Zhang)

A view of the future site of the north building atrium and auditorium, as seen from the third floor, with the new south building in the background, January 2024

In March of 2023, the building adjacent to the historic Barnum building was demolished (and a palm tree relocated!) to make way for construction of the new south building.