College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Nampa Campus Norco Health and Science Building has earned first place in Idaho Business Review's 2026 Top Projects awards, recognizing the design and construction of one of the College's newest facilities.
The annual awards recognize construction projects across Idaho for their design, execution, and contributions to the communities they serve.
The $30 million, three-story building opened in August 2025. The building design, inspired by the human body, brings CWI's growing healthcare and science programs together under one roof. The 60,000-square-foot facility features specialized labs, simulation rooms, classrooms, and collaborative learning spaces designed to prepare students for careers in health care and other fields.
“It is an honor for our building to be recognized as a top project,” said Vice President of Strategy and Operations, Nic Miller. “It is an amazing addition to campus, and we are proud of the impact it has already made on the student experience.”
The building houses nine healthcare programs, including Certified Nursing Assistant Preparation, Dental Assisting, Medical Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing, Surgical Technology, and Surgical First Assistant. Additional spaces support Biology, Microbiology, and Anatomy and Physiology labs, along with Communication, English, Math, and CWI 101 classes.
In addition to a facility supporting congregated learning across a variety of healthcare programs, students have access to industry-standard equipment, specialized skills labs, and simulation rooms equipped with lifelike medical mannequins. These spaces provide opportunities to build clinical skills and gain hands-on experience in settings similar to those found in today's health care facilities.
Built by ESI Construction and designed by Cushing Terrell, the building was originally planned at 45,000 square feet. As enrollment and program needs grew, the project expanded to approximately 60,000 square feet, including an additional 10,000 square feet of labs and classrooms completed during construction.
The building's design draws inspiration from the human body, with exposed structural and mechanical systems in shared spaces. A three-story staircase filled with natural light connects common areas throughout the building, while energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, sensor-activated LED lighting, and natural lighting help reduce energy use.
The facility was officially named the Nampa Campus Norco Health and Science Building in July 2026 in recognition of Norco's investment in CWI and its support for healthcare education. Norco, St. Luke's Health System, and an anonymous donor have contributed to expanding opportunities for students preparing to enter Idaho's health care workforce.
