Photo: PBK Architects

University High School

The new University High School is a two-story, 350,000-sq-ft building with a brick over metal stud facade. Specialized spaces include an 850-seat auditorium, competitive gymnasium, two auxiliary gymnasiums, library, cafeteria/dining and an expansive career and technology education program. Site development includes practice and competition fields with bleachers and press boxes, greenhouse and concession stands.

The design team was faced with a unique challenge during the design phase, as the site is located alongside a vaguely defined FEMA floodplain. Because the exact elevation – based on data from 1977 – was not known, the city of Waco required the school district to complete a floodplain study, submit the findings to FEMA and complete a Conditional Letter of Map Revision. The end result of the lengthy process will result in a revised floodplain map of the affected area.

Key Facts

Location: Waco
Construction Start Date: June 2009
Expected Completion Date: June 2011
Utilizing BIM? No
Seeking LEED certification? No
Owner/Developer: Waco ISD, Waco
General Contractor/Construction Manager: Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, San Antonio
Architect: PBK Architects, Austin
Civil Engineer: The Wallace Group, Waco
Structural Engineer: Conti, Jumper, Gardner & Associates, Austin
MEP Engineer: IDA Engineering, Waco
Main Specialty/Subcontractors: Ackerman Barnes Consulting, Fort Worth; StarrTek Theatrical Consultants, Fort Worth; BAI, LLC, Austin

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