Growing in place: Aligning space, programming, and fundraising without adding square footage

Capital budgets are shrinking, enrollment is shifting, and accreditation requirements aren't getting simpler. For many institutions, adding square footage isn't an option—but standing still isn't either. This session presents a phased space planning framework developed at ASU's Design School that uses utilization data and targeted renovation to align space, programming, and fundraising priorities without overcommitting capital too early. Where institutions often struggle most—student belonging and revenue generation—makerspaces and student hubs become strategic tools, not just amenities. Presenters deliver transferable strategies for coordinating space across on-campus and online populations while keeping near-term decisions in sync with longer-term institutional goals.