By Ava Uhlack, May 12, 2026
Global architecture and design firm Gensler has been chosen to lead a comprehensive conceptual land use plan and utility assessment for the Cal Poly Pomona Campus South, also known as the Lanterman property, according to Cynthia Peters, director of media relations at CPP.
Gensler held the Student Ideas Competition, allowing students to submit proposals for possible conceptual land use for Lanterman. While the proposals awarded do not represent final plans or official development proposals, according to Gensler, the opportunity provided students a chance to explore creative possibilities for the future of the Lanterman site.
“Winning teams were recognized for the strength and originality of their ideas,” Gensler stated via email. “Any conceptual land use plans for the future development of the Lanterman site will be subject to further review including market demand analysis, financial feasibility and environmental review all in accordance with CSU policies and procedures and consistent with the educational mission of CPP.”
There were approximately 13 presentations given with groups ranging from two to five members.
Presenters were given a total of five minutes to pitch their proposals to the panel of five judges, consisting of Nathan Kim and Jaymes Dunsmore, representatives of Gensler, Astrid Theeuwes, a representative of KPFF consulting engineers, Ante Perkov, a part-time professor of real estate, and Anthony Orlando, an associate professor of real estate.
Most of the student presentations touched on similar topics, ranging from establishing public transportation access points on the property, building housing for the community both of CPP and Pomona and creating some sort of commercial space consisting of dining and shopping options for the community.
First-place winners Jake Atilano, Holly Marshburn and Ethan Luu, all finance, real estate and law students, focused on a faculty-oriented, mixed-use neighborhood that included a faculty and staff club, a retail node similar to a Trader Joe’s style store, structured parking, student housing and child care.
“Phase two expansion only happens if phase one is successful,” Marshburn said. “At this point is when housing availability will be increased, retail nodes will be put in place and introduce academic-focused spaces.”
Click the following link to view the full presentation → Lanterman_Pitch_Final
Runners up Sabrina Toney and Liana Ip called their proposal Sight Unseen with some of the same themes, including public transportation stops for the Bronco Shuttle and Metrolink, mixed use buildings for offices and meeting rooms, housing, a wellness gym and a nature walk bridge.
“Because it’s little more expensive to develop, we are hoping broader partnerships with companies like Microsoft or Google could take over parts of mixed-use spaces to help us,” Toney said.
Second runners up Rachel Lee and Maren Ang, urban regional planning students, centered their presentation around the concept statement, “Live, learn, work and play in a community that meets the university’s growing population needs and creates lasting value for the university and surrounding communities.”
Their concept also included public transportation and housing, as well as featured hiking trails on the hills of the property that are unfit for building use.
Additionally, along with dining halls, residential spaces and a gym, the proposal included a possible expansion of the Kellogg West Conference Center and Hotel along with a proposed space for a petting zoo connecting to the previous horse ranched of CPP.
“For the institutional and commercial land use, we will have a Lanterman museum to showcase some history of the site,” Lee said.
After student presentations concluded, the jury deliberated for 15 minutes before announcing the winners and two finalists. Winners were given a certificate of achievement and posed for photos with the jury panel.
Feature image courtesy of Anthony Orlando
