TCAT Chattanooga Advanced Manufacturing Building

At TCAT Chattanooga, BarberMcMurry designed a new Advanced Manufacturing Building to meet crucial campus needs and enhance the visual and physical connections between TCAT Chattanooga and Chattanooga State Community College, which share a campus.

TCAT Chattanooga has more full-time students per square foot than any other TCAT facility in the state, and had reached capacity, unable to expand programs the community desperately needed. The new building expands capacity of student enrollment by 84% — resulting in more highly-trained graduates in fields including manufacturing, IT and healthcare.

In addition to meeting those workforce needs, this new building serves as a "front door" presence for TCAT on the larger Chattanooga State campus. Overlooking a pond, the main entrance is identified by a double-height canopy space and large glass panes that reveal the well-lit lobby. The exterior brick ties into existing buildings on campus, while metal panels and glass reflect the progressive, industrial purpose of the building.

The first floor houses student services and a large, high-bay laboratory space that accommodates advanced manufacturing equipment and academic programs. Classrooms, offices and additional laboratories will be placed on the second floor. Informal collaboration and seating areas are incorporated on both levels for students and faculty to study or relax between classes.