Durham Tech selects architects for 3 new projects

Durham Tech has selected architectural firms for three major projects on its Durham Main Campus and Orange County Campus in Hillsborough.

Andre Johnson Architects will design the College’s new Life Sciences Building on Main Campus. Partnering on the design will be O’Brien Atkins Associates. The 35,000-square-foot, $35.2 million project is funded by the bond referendum Durham voters approved in 2022.  The facility will house the College’s BioWork and Biotechnology degree programs, as well as provide space for industry training and engagement. "Andre Johnson Architects is thrilled to be working with Durham Technical Community College in the design of the Life Sciences Building,” Andre Johnson said. “On behalf of our entire design team, I am grateful to Durham Technical Community College for selecting our team to bring the vision of the college to life with our design." 

Lord Aeck Sargent has been selected to design the College’s new Health Sciences Building. The 80,000-square-foot, $77 million project is funded by the bond referendum Durham voters approved in 2022. The facility will include the College’s healthcare-related programs, including nursing, surgical tech, anesthesia tech, respiratory therapy, clinical trials, and occupational therapy among others. 
“Lord Aeck Sargent is honored to work with Durham Tech on the new Health Sciences Building for the main campus,” the firm said in a statement. “These specialty programs are incredibly important to bolster the healthcare community and we are so happy to help support the education of such a skilled set of students.”  

Katherine Hogan Architects has been chosen to design the College’s expansion at its Orange County Campus in Hillsborough. The building addition will add 13,000 to 18,000 square feet to the existing structure on that campus. The project will cost $11 million and is being funded by Orange County. The expansion will provide additional space for the College’s programs in emergency medical services and other healthcare occupations, college transfer law enforcement, and the skilled trades. “It is an honor to be selected for the Orange County Campus Expansion project and our team is grateful for this opportunity,” Hogan said. “We know this project will have a significant impact in our community and for existing and future students of Durham Technical Community College.” 

The College’s Board of Trustees approved the firms after a multi-phase selection process that included a team of advisors from UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, and N.C. Central University. Thirty-seven firms submitted proposals for the two Durham Main Campus projects and 11 for the Orange County expansion project.

“The College is excited to partner with these highly regarded firms,” said Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton. “They will ensure our students and employees have state-of-the-art spaces that meet the current and future learning needs for the students we serve.”