Project description
Cator, Ruma & Associates provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology engineering services for the Prairie View High School Career & Technical Education (CTE) Facility, supporting a new 52,000-square-foot addition and renovations to the existing campus. The facility was designed to expand hands-on technical education programs while integrating seamlessly with ongoing high school operations.
The CTE building includes specialized instructional spaces such as welding labs, small engine and fabrication shops, classrooms, and support areas, each with distinct ventilation, power, and safety requirements. CRA designed robust HVAC and exhaust systems to manage dust, fumes, and heat generated by industrial equipment, while maintaining occupant comfort and code compliance. Dedicated exhaust systems were incorporated for high-risk spaces, including targeted low-level exhaust for small engine operations to address evolving program use and safety criteria.
Electrical and technology systems were designed to support heavy equipment loads, flexible instructional layouts, audiovisual systems, security, and future adaptability. Throughout design and construction, CRA supported multiple owner-directed revisions, value engineering efforts, and phased modifications, coordinating closely with the architect, school district, and contractors to maintain schedule, budget, and performance goals for a complex, evolving educational environment.
Guiding Principles for the Design
- Safety Is Non-Negotiable
- Industrial Performance in an Educational Setting
- Design for Change, Not Assumptions
- Energy-Conscious Use of Public Funds