UC Merced
Tangram Collaborates with HOK to Equip UC Merced's Expansive Campus Transformation with Functional and Inspirational Furniture Solutions
Understanding what drives the need for change
When UC Merced opened its doors in 2005, it represented something remarkable: the first new University of California campus in four decades. But by 2016, the university's success had created a new challenge. The rapidly growing Central Valley region demanded more educational opportunities, and the campus needed to expand dramatically to meet this need. UC Merced embarked on an ambitious $1.3 billion, three-phase expansion that would more than double their footprint with 13 new buildings spanning 1.2 million square feet.
This wasn't just about adding space—it was about creating environments that would serve an incredibly diverse range of users and functions. The expansion included everything from cutting-edge research laboratories and traditional classrooms to student housing, dining facilities, athletic spaces, and a grand auditorium. Each space needed furniture solutions that could adapt to different learning styles, support both focused individual work and dynamic collaboration, and create the kind of welcoming campus community that helps students thrive.
How we brought the vision to life
Working alongside architectural partner HOK, Tangram approached this massive undertaking with a comprehensive furniture strategy that prioritized flexibility and cohesion across the entire campus expansion. Rather than treating each building as a separate project, we developed an integrated approach that would create visual and functional continuity while meeting the specific needs of each space type.
Our team curated solutions from a carefully selected group of manufacturers—Steelcase, Turnstone, Coalesse, West Elm, National, and Arc-Com—ensuring quality, durability, and design consistency across all 13 buildings. The centerpiece of our approach was the Steelcase Answer system, which provided the adaptability essential for academic environments where space usage constantly evolves. We complemented these workstations with 25 different variations of task and lounge seating, creating a furniture ecosystem that could seamlessly transition from individual study to group collaboration to casual social interaction.
4 professionals brought this vision to life
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