This blog post was authored by Craig Hamilton, FAIA, Senior Project Planner, Education Practice, CannonDesign.

Rising costs, lack of nearby support systems, and other instabilities have continued to mount in recent years after these gaps in basic social safety nets were exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For college students living on their own for the first time, it can become difficult to focus on academics if they are lacking the basic needs to work towards adult independence.

The Valera NEST at California State University-Northridge (CSUN), centralizes many resources in one place to help students access basic needs and wellness services. It is the first of its kind in the CSU system, and one of a growing number of basic resource centers tailored towards college students.

What started as a way to address student needs during the pandemic transformed into a singular place where students can find answers to their questions and needs, all within a welcoming and open environment. Our intent was to make students feel cared for on their own campus, so they can keep working towards their academic goals.

The NEST, which stands for Nurturing Environment for Students to Thrive, aims to make life easier for students facing challenges like food insecurity, housing instability, and financial strain. Even before the pandemic, the CSUN student body indicated the need for such a center.

In a 2019 food security survey, CSUN leaders found 48% of their students had low or very low food security but were not accessing the campus food pantry due to barriers of stigma, lack of information, and decentralized resources.

Funded by a combination of student union fees, generous donations from Milt and Debbie Valera and Barbara and Rich Levy, along with $6 million in state funding, the Valera NEST is a result of broad campus, community, and state support.

Design work on the project started in 2020, with groundbreaking happening in 2024. The NEST is a renovated space; its former occupants were a bank and a bar and grill.

The 6,000-sf space now features an open community kitchen that includes microwaves, cold food storage lockers, food preparation areas, and lounge and eating spaces. It also houses the CSUN Food Pantry, Matty’s Closet (offering free professional clothing for students interviewing) as well as offices for financial assistance and Basic Needs Care Coordinators.

Experiential graphics also help make the space feel inviting and welcoming to all who enter, no matter the reason or purpose. Grounded in the concept of “united as one,” a signature feature wall, crafted from slatted wood and felt, serves as the visual centerpiece.

The “thrive” message is printed on dimensional wood slats, with welcoming messages in various languages printed on acoustic felt interlaid between the wood slats. This approach introduced warmth to the space, reinforcing a natural material palette that emphasizes comfort and security.

The inclusive design approach creates a seamless connection and a centralized access point for students. Showcasing our inclusive Whole Student framework, this project recognizes and supports the diversity of CSUN's campus community and sets a framework for other universities to provide centralized basic needs resources for its student bodies to ensure they can thrive.