This $19.5 million facility on the University of Texas campus contains 240,000 square feet on five levels. It includes research laboratories, instruction labs, computer areas, classrooms, faculty offices, and other support areas. The building was designed to achieve flexibility in the use of space. Elements such as stairs, elevators, toilets, and mechanical spaces were placed on the building perimeter to provide unobstructed space for use on all levels of the structure.
Laboratories were designed on a modular basis with service corridors between rows of labs to provide easy access to utilities and facilitate future rearrangements. Special features within and below the building include a five-story drilling simulation chase
and a mine simulator. The exterior design and brick color for the building were selected to blend with the adjacent university structures.
Barry Parks was hired by CTJ+D to assist with production of contract documents for this
facility. This work included the design of the spiral stair and demountable grate and handrail system in the drilling simulator.
