The CSUN Valley Performing Arts Center was designed as a cultural entertainment hub for the San Fernando Valley. Located on the southern edge of campus, the 166,000-square foot center is comprised of two connected buildings forming a U-shape around a central courtyard. With professional-level facilities and a landscape design that features integrated topography and semi-arid plants, the facility caters to students and the surrounding community. The project has set a new standard in its success as a sustainable, habitable, inviting landscape. Functioning during the day as a space for the students and at night for theater patrons, the spaces lend themselves to the variety of needs of these two groups. Simple in its design and concept, outdoor spaces foster socialization and flow seamlessly from one end of the site to the other, knitting the project into the campus fabric. Through the reduction of water consumption by nearly 50% and the successful use of drought tolerant species, the project earned a LEED Gold rating. Award: Civic Award, Los Angeles Business Council