Transportation Technologies Center
TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE - HARLINGEN
Location: Harlingen, TX
Size: 86,200 GSF GSF
Delivery Method: CMAR
Construction Type: New Construction
Challenge
Texas State Technical College needed a new training facility to support increasing demand for workforce training in automotive and heavy-duty diesel systems. The college also wanted a facility that could easily accommodate future curriculum changes as local workforce demands changed.
Solution
Keeping flexibility at the forefront, we designed a new two-story, high-bay instructional facility with 33 percent more classroom capacity than its predecessor building. The open lab spaces and workshop bays are free of permanent walls, so spaces can be more readily reconfigured as curricula and equipment change. The building structure can support additional structural bays as enrollment increases. An outdoor instructional area further extends training beyond the classroom, supporting practical, industry-based exercises.
To enhance learning opportunities, virtual reality training environments allow students to engage with equipment not physically available on-site. Through guided exercises and proficiency testing, instructors can monitor progress in real time, adding a layer of flexibility to the hands-on experience.