One year later: Broncos past and present build program’s future home

Anyone that's walked or driven by Boise State University's campus near Beacon Street over the past year has witnessed what was once an empty dirt parking lot transform into the ESI Construction Management Building. Evolving from an initial groundbreaking, the rapid rise of the structure hints at an exciting new era of collaborative student success.

Today, 100 percent of the campus' newest structure rises from the ground and roughly 60 percent of the total project stands complete, outlining Boise State's trusted role in serving and advancing Idaho's communities with workforce ready graduates and setting a new national benchmark for construction management education.

"After years of planning, construction of our new building is advancing at a tremendous pace," William H. McMurren Endowed Chair of Construction Management Antony Perrenoud said. "ESI's project team has done an exceptional job orchestrating this effort with the support of countless Boise State Construction Management alumni. The collaboration of so many alumni working toward this shared vision truly sets this building apart on campus."

Inland Crane and Andersen Construction teams work to install the ESI Construction Building's mass timber features. Photo by Dave Cacciapuoti.

Award-winning design takes shape

Since the groundbreaking in January 2025, construction of the new ESI Construction Management Building has advanced through a close partnership with Engineered Structures, Inc. (ESI), the project's lead construction firm and namesake supporter.

ESI's leadership and significant investment in the project reflect a deep commitment to hands-on education and workforce development for the next generation of construction professionals in Idaho.

Even before completion, the building earned a 2025 Outstanding Project Award from Learning By Design, recognizing its innovative approach to construction education. As the first of its kind mass timber building on campus, the exposed systems, visible building materials and flexible spaces represent a visual tool and living classroom where students can learn directly from the building itself.

"This project design was led by a talented and highly qualified Lombard/Conrad team," College of Engineering Dean Amy Fleischer said. "The final design features a welcoming space in which all construction management students will find a personal sense of belonging, and which builds on, while greatly expanding, the construction management culture at Boise State."

Connecting Bronco generations

The construction management building is more than just bricks and beams, it's a project that has united generations of Bronco graduates. Current construction management students have had the opportunity to work and learn alongside generations of Boise State graduates who now fuel Idaho's construction workforce.

From the project team at ESI to various contracted teams, Broncos new and old are building the future home of the program they once attended. Alum Jessee Rosin (CM '00) and his team at Mountain Companies played a critical role early on with earthwork, setting the stage for everything that followed.

Meanwhile, the project has also provided meaningful leadership and professional experience for both current students and alumni. Senior Boise State student Jaden Doyle has balanced coursework with real-world responsibilities while working under Rosin and his team during an assignment on the project.

Alum CJ Vargas, a 2018 graduate now on the Boise State Architectural and Engineering Services team, is helping guide construction, alongside current student Katy Martinez who is interning with the university and contributing to the project's progress.

Playing a key role in the day-to-day operations is Josiah Senethavilay (CM '25), a project engineer with ESI, working on the site daily. Together, these past and present Broncos exemplify how the program prepares students to lead from the classroom to the construction site.

Construction Management students participate in a concrete pour with industry partners and project engineers for the ESI Construction Management Building. Photo by Torin Alm.

Hands-on student education

From the time ground broke on the new building, construction management faculty and industry partners have utilized the project to provide real-world experience to Boise State students by allowing them to assist with contracted teams throughout the various phases of construction thus far.

With materials support from Idaho Materials & Construction, and expert instruction from John Stevenson (CM '06) and Matt Shaffer of ESI, freshmen majors in the program were able to do more than just observe, as they assisted in placing temporary concrete slabs between the building's two structures, connecting classroom knowledge with practical field skills.

Recently, the project marked a milestone by topping out the structure using mass timber, making this the first timber building on the Boise State campus. The timber was fabricated and supplied by Boise Cascade Company and skillfully installed under the lead of Hank Davis (CM '17) with Andersen Construction. The striking timber framework is hard to miss and a testament to sustainable design and construction innovation.

Construction efforts have steadily progressed with the support of key partners whose work is visible throughout the site. Inland Crane, Inc. provided exceptional precision and professionalism, playing a central role in advancing core phases of the project and helping bring the building's framework to life.

Eyes on the future

Milestones continue to unfold week by week with various crews completing new phases of the project. In December 2025, crews completed a key foundational milestone which was celebrated by students who gathered to witness and participate in the moment. With each pour and timber beam set, the future home of Construction Management grows closer to reality.

Members of the Boise State University Foundation and University leadership get a progress tour of the ESI Construction Management Building. Photo by Dave Cacciapuoti.

Construction of the new ESI Construction Management Building is set to be completed May 2026 and open for the Fall 2026 semester. Follow along with construction progress on the College of Engineering website.

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