Alief Center for Advanced Careers

Houston, Texas

Firm

PBK

Client

Alief Independent School District

Area

215,960 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$49,642,600

Completion Date

04/2018

Luis Ayala

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The Alief Center for Advanced Careers provides students with “real-world” workforce experiences. It has flexible learning studios that emulate today’s workplaces and exposes students to targeted career pathways. Given an opportunity to explore different career paths and earn professional certifications, students are motivated and inspired to work toward their future, whether that leads to higher education or the workforce. The contemporary design was dictated by the district’s overarching goal of preparing students for real-world workforce experiences and postsecondary education. The building’s architecture consists of a combination of a cost-effective, sleek metal panel and durable brick masonry. Valued-added tilt-wall construction was used to portray the architectural components of corporate office buildings. The desired outcome was to create a facility where students felt as if they were going to work, not class.

Real-world environments that emulate modern workplaces are showcased through a range of 21st-century learning settings. Students benefit from eight CTE pathway/programs that provide them with a professional certification upon graduation. An innovative and unique design responds to present and future needs.