Bartlett Cocke General Contractors won an Excellence in Construction Award from the South Texas chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas for supervising the construction of the Health Science Center’s Academic Learning & Teaching Center (ALTC).
The award was in the category of Institutional construction, $25 million to $100 million. It was one of 22 Excellence in Construction Awards given by the local chapter.
“Given the beauty and functional design of the building, I can understand why the building is considered to be so outstanding,” said William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, Health Science Center president.
James D. Kazen, executive vice president for facility planning and operations at the Health Science Center, said “the ALTC represents the fusion of creative architecture, sound construction and 21st century information technologies to create a stimulating learning and study environment in the heart of the university campus.”
The UT System Board of Regents approved $45 million from the Permanent University Fund to construct the ALTC, whose total cost was $51.2 million. Kell Munoz Architects designed the building that was dedicated in February 2016.
The ALTC is a technological marvel where classrooms enable real-time observation of procedures, complex surgeries and clinical simulations in a dynamic, discussion-based learning atmosphere. The 130,000-square-foot ALTC features more than 33 ultra-modern classrooms and strategic learning spaces, and a state-of-the-art digital anatomy laboratory with 3-D interactive imaging capabilities. It also includes a restaurant, Panorama, to serve faculty, staff and students of the Health Science Center and their guests.
ALTC classrooms range in size from a room the area of a football field that can accommodate 280 students to seminar rooms that seat 12-18. In every room, the technology and furniture design enhances questions and discussion—active learning at its best.