Sam Houston State University Arts Complex Breaks Ground

A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in Huntsville, TX, for the new Arts Complex, designed by GUND Partnership. A new model for visual arts buildings, it brings together arts programs from eight buildings across campus into a dynamic new center where students can pursue traditional arts studies and explore new digital arts programs like animation under one roof. The entry level of the complex invites the larger community in with a dramatic two-story gallery to exhibit work and flexible event space for artist’s talks and lectures.

San Houston State University Arts Complex

The school’s signature WASH program (Workshop in Art Studio and History) moves into the building from its previous off-campus space. This highly successful introduction to the arts gives SHSU students a broad exposure to all aspects of the programs offered, with classroom and hands-on learning experiences.

The new, 70,325-square-foot, four-story building includes classrooms, labs, and studios for painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, graphic design, animation, ceramics, wood and metal sculpture, WASH, faculty offices, indoor and outdoor galleries, working courtyards for ceramics, sculpture and WASH studios, and a student commons.

Sustainability is a key factor in the design, the new Arts Complex features state-of-the-art mechanical systems to handle the specialized ventilation needs of arts processes to support a healthy and safe environment for students and faculty.

The Arts Complex is expected to be complete in fall 2019. 

Featured

  • Esports are Growing in Popularity

    Video games and esports are a popular social hobby, and it’s one that’s accessible to a wide variety of physical ability levels. Some esport student-athletes have started to earn scholarship opportunities, and high schools are beginning to form teams equipped with the same degree of resources as their physical sports teams. However, the two have very different needs.

  • Minnesota District Completes Renovations to 3 Schools

    South Washington County Schools in Woodbury, Minn., recently completed major renovation projects to three of its schools, according to a news release. The district partnered with Kraus-Anderson for construction services, and the upgrades were part of a larger referendum that voters approved in fall 2024.

  • Western Kentucky University Breaks Ground on First Phase of $350M Student Housing Project

    Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Ky., recently broke ground on the first phase of a $350-million student housing initiative, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Gilbane Development through a public-private partnership (P3) to replace aging residence halls and modernize on-campus living accommodations.