CSUF Student Housing
Welcoming living space in CSUF's Titan blue
Understanding what drives the need for change
Cal State Fullerton faced a pivotal moment in fall 2022 as they prepared to welcome 600 students into their groundbreaking new housing community. This wasn't just another dormitory project—it represented the university's first foray into suite-style living, a significant departure from their traditional residence halls and apartments. The ambitious 182,000 square foot development would house students in innovative seven-person suites, each featuring four double-occupancy rooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette, spread across three wings and six floors.
Larry Martin, Executive Director of Housing and Residential Engagement, understood the weight of this transformation. "There are so many people involved in making this dream become a reality," he reflected, knowing that well-designed student housing could fundamentally enhance the college experience and make the campus more engaging. The challenge was enormous: creating a cohesive, durable, and comfortable living environment that would serve hundreds of students while staying true to the university's Titan blue identity and strict budgetary constraints.
How we brought the vision to life
Tangram embarked on a comprehensive design partnership with HMC Architects, approaching this massive undertaking as both a logistical challenge and an opportunity to create meaningful student experiences. Our team understood that every piece of furniture would need to withstand the rigors of student life while fostering both individual study and community connection. We curated a extensive collection spanning bedrooms, kitchenettes, study spaces, and lounge areas, sourcing from over 15 premium manufacturers including Blu Dot, Coalesse, Steelcase, and National.
The selection process required meticulous attention to durability, comfort, and brand alignment. Each piece—from bed frames and complete desk units to modular sofas and flexible whiteboards—was chosen not just for its individual merit, but for how it would contribute to the overall suite experience. Our team coordinated with manufacturers like OFS, Ghent, KI, and Momentum to ensure seamless delivery across the massive 182,000 square foot space, all while maintaining the university's signature Titan blue colorway and meeting demanding budget requirements.
25 solutions from 6 manufacturers
Node
Node school chairs are highly mobile —a quality that translates directly into classroom performance. After all, a lesson plan can be carried out more effectively when seating is arranged and rearranged effortlessly.
Buoy
Height-adjustable and designed to promote movement in the workplace, Turnstone's Buoy’s curved base engages your core as you tilt, wobble and spin.
Cubb Chair
Cubb’s singularity of form creates an elemental chair with a clear personality, delivering robust functionality for any environment. Its innovative contemporary aesthetic extends over seven design typologies, making it suitable for specification through multiple applications in both hospitality and office environments.
Fringe
All the necessary components to create extraordinary spaces. The Fringe lounge collection offers seating and table solutions that can be combined to create large configurations or used separately to develop individual stations. From ottomans, club chairs, benches, high and mid backs, and cove units, to occasional, inline, and bistro tables, Fringe has an extensive and diverse offering.
Potrero415
Create inspiring settings — from open-plan casual to conference-room formal — with a wide variety of materials, shapes, and sizes. Potrero415 supports all the ways your people work: inside or outside a meeting room, sitting or standing, for long sessions or short bursts of creative energy. Designed for creative collaborators, Potrero415 is at the vanguard of a new standard of craft that looks better, feels better, and performs better.
Pirouette Table
Designed by Giancarlo Piretti, the innovative articulating leg of Pirouette creates a leg-within-leg nesting solution unlike any other. As Pirouette's top is raised, the legs articulate. When in use, Pirouette's clean design profile sets it apart from standard nesting tables. Pirouette easily reconfigures and nests for simple storage and adaptability. Pirouette's unique design accommodates two-sided usage, giving ample leg room to those seated on either side of a table.
4 professionals brought this vision to life
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