CSU, San Bernardino
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CSU, San Bernardino

Fostering Community Through Intentionally Curated Spaces

ClientSan Bernardino, CA114,000 sq ft2018
Business Units
Contract Furniture
Market
Higher Education
Partners
SCB
The Challenge

Understanding what drives the need for change

California State University, San Bernardino stood at a pivotal moment in 2016. With over 20,000 students calling the campus home at the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, the university recognized a critical need: their growing student body deserved modern living and dining spaces that would foster both academic success and community connection. The ambitious vision included Coyote Village, a 114,000-square-foot residence hall designed to house more than 400 first-year students, and the adjacent Coyote Commons, a 50,300-square-foot dining complex that would serve the entire campus community.

This wasn't simply about providing furniture for two new buildings. The university needed spaces that would actively support student success through thoughtful design—from intimate study nooks where students could focus on coursework to expansive dining areas that could accommodate 700 people for meals and social gatherings. Adding complexity to the project, both facilities were targeting LEED Gold certification, requiring every furniture selection to align with rigorous sustainability standards while maintaining the durability needed for high-traffic campus environments.

Our Approach

How we brought the vision to life

Tangram embraced the complexity of this dual-facility project, developing a comprehensive two-year furnishing strategy that would seamlessly integrate living, learning, and dining experiences across both spaces. Our design team worked closely with university administrators, architects, and facilities staff to understand not just the functional requirements, but the cultural aspirations for these new campus landmarks. We knew that successful student housing goes beyond providing beds—it creates environments where young adults can thrive academically and socially during their crucial first year of college.

The solution required orchestrating furniture selections from Steelcase, Coalesse, and more than 20 additional manufacturers, each chosen for their specific strengths in different applications. From ergonomic desk chairs that would support long study sessions in residence hall rooms to commercial-grade dining furniture that could withstand constant use while maintaining an inviting atmosphere, every piece was selected with both immediate functionality and long-term durability in mind. Our team paid particular attention to creating variety within unity—ensuring that different zones throughout both facilities had their own character while maintaining a cohesive design language that reflected the university's commitment to student success.

The Results
400+
student beds furnished with ergonomic study and living solutions
700
dining seats provided across diverse food service environments
2
LEED Gold certified buildings achieved through sustainable furniture partnerships
Featured Products

2 solutions

SW_1 Lounge

Redefine the concept of collaborative workspaces with the SW_1 office and lounge seating collection. A breathable mesh back provides increased comfort for long work sessions. A swiveling base and open arms expand the view, increasing the flow of collaboration in any space. Matching ottoman available.

Think

The Think chair is an ergonomic office chair that senses what your body needs. The Integrated LiveBack™ System conforms to your body and moves with you as you change postures. It features an advanced weight-activated seat, so anybody can get comfortable, quickly.

Project Team

1 professionals brought this vision to life

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