Cal Poly Begins Construction on Jacobsen Animal Health Center

Cal Poly will begin construction in April of 2024 on the Charles and Claire Jacobsen Animal Health Center in San Luis Obispo. Designed by Gensler, the $30 million project will address a growing demand for courses in veterinary medicine and animal agriculture. Clinical environments will be collocated with academic functions to allow students to engage in experiential learning and training. Providing 17,500 sf of program space, the state-of-the-art building will offer wet labs, examination and procedure rooms, a surgical suite, and a necropsy facility. The collaborative structure will also house two flexible teaching labs including a 72-seat instructional venue and a research setting for smaller groups.

Serving as a model of energy efficiency for the animal science industry, the robust structure is slated to achieve LEED sustainable design certification. Hensel Phelps is the design-build contractor for the project with occupancy anticipated in fall of 2025.