Boise State University and Engineered Structures Inc. broke ground on the $8 million ESI Construction Management Building. The new facility will enhance the university’s ability to educate more students for critical roles in Idaho’s growing construction sector. This sustainable mass timber building represents both an educational investment and an environmental commitment from the university.
The new building marks several firsts for the campus. It will be the first building at Boise State University to solely use mass timber, an engineered wood product donated by Boise Cascade. Additionally, the 12-person design team consists entirely of women.
Meeting Industry Demand With Sustainable Design
The construction management program at Boise State University has experienced substantial growth, with student enrollment increasing by 80% over the past six years. The program boasts impressive statistics: Students typically complete between two and three internships with local contractors during their education, and graduates enjoy a 100% job placement rate.
The construction management curriculum is the oldest program in the College of Engineering. Founded in 1978, it produced its first graduates in 1980 and has since graduated over 1,200 students, including 100 women graduates as of December 2024.
Boise State University Campus Expansion Plans Beyond Construction Management
The ESI Construction Management Building represents just one piece of Boise State University’s broader campus development strategy. According to Alicia Estey, the university’s chief financial and operating officer, several major projects are currently underway.
“We are redeveloping and expanding the north end zone of our stadium to accommodate growing demand for Boise State football. The expanded North End Zone will feature because football is very popular. But athletics doesn’t receive much in the way of state funding at all. And so they earn their revenue primarily through ticket sales for football games. And so we’re going to expand the north end zone, add more sky boxes so that we can bring in more funds to help support our athletics programs,” Estey explains.
Beyond athletics improvements, the university is planning its most significant construction project to date.
“We are in the planning and design phase for a new science research building. This state-of-the-art research facility will support the dramatic increase in research at Boise State and provide additional opportunities for all of our students to engage in research as undergraduates and graduate students,” said Estey
Financial Stability Supports Growth
The ability to pursue multiple construction projects simultaneously reflects Boise State University’s solid financial position. The university has maintained stable enrollment when many institutions nationwide face declining student numbers.
“We are fortunate in that we have not yet experienced enrollment declines. Boise is a rapidly growing city and Boise State’s high quality, affordable degree programs and our national brand recognition have helped insulate us from enrollment declines,” Estey says.
The new ESI Construction Management Building will provide multiple specialized facilities for students. It will feature a large student collaboration area, a 40-seat computer lab, dedicated classrooms, several conference and competition team rooms, a 3,300-square-foot high bay equipped with an overhead crane, and a substantial outside learning area.
Grant Gustafson, president of the Construction Management Association student club, which has existed for nearly 40 years, stated, “Through this program, I’ve built some of the best connections that I can build, really. Not just with my peers, but also with my professors. They’ve not only pushed me, but they’ve guided me to become a person that I’m really proud of and set me on a path that I am ready to follow.
“And I think that’s what makes today’s groundbreaking so significant. This building truly represents the heart of what makes this program so special. It’s a place where students can grow, connect, and prepare to make a difference in this industry.”
Industry Partnership Powers Educational Excellence
The construction of the ESI Building highlights the strong relationship between Boise State University and industry partners. The department of construction management maintains an industry advisory board of more than 40 companies, with over 90 companies actively recruiting graduates from the program.
For Boise State University, these partnerships and facilities embody the university’s core mission of transforming lives through education. The relationship between location, facilities, and opportunities creates a compelling environment for students and faculty.
The ESI Construction Management Building represents Boise State University’s approach to campus development — creating purpose-built facilities through industry partnerships while maintaining financial stability and prioritizing sustainability through choices like mass timber construction. The building is expected to welcome students in 2026.
