Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility | TETER ©2025 All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility
TETER ©2025 All Rights Reserved
Case Study
Applied Technology &
Trades Complex
Year Completed 2025
Location
Tulare, CA
Market Sector
College & University
A+E Integration
Architectural Design
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Plumbing Engineering
Structural Engineering
Construction Administration
A campus gateway
to trades and technology
The Applied Technology & Trades Complex advances Career Technical Education at COS Tulare Center through a 36,000 SF campus environment designed for applied learning, outdoor instruction, and industry connection. Three new buildings tie into the existing Welding Technology facility, bringing agriculture, livestock, welding, and applied trades programs into a more unified setting. The project expands capacity for technical education while creating a clearer campus identity for programs that rely on movement, equipment access, flexible shops, and hands-on instruction.
Located along the west side of the future campus quad, the complex helps define a new academic spine and strengthen connections across the Tulare campus. A dedicated two-acre outdoor education area extends instruction beyond the classroom, giving students space for teaching projects, demonstrations, student events, and collaboration with industry partners. Organized around a central courtyard, the complex creates a more visible and connected learning environment that supports both day-to-day training and the broader role of CTE in the regionʼs workforce.
The architectural language builds on COS Tulareʼs existing Art Deco and Moderne-inspired campus character, adapting rounded forms, vertical accents, and streamlined detailing for a new generation of technical education. Entry towers with backlit vertical signage establish a visible identity for the complex, while metal panels, brise soleil elements, storefront glazing, and public gallery spaces bring shade, scale, and transparency to the exterior. Together, these elements connect the project to its campus context while putting student work and technical training on display.
Designed Around
the Work
The Applied Technology & Trades Complex was planned around the daily movement of students, instructors, vehicles, equipment, and instructional systems. High-bay shop volumes, large roll-up doors, open lab layouts, durable finishes, and open work areas create a practical setting for active Career Technical Education.
Each building is tailored to the programs inside, including agricultural technology, automotive technology, construction technology, electrical training, HVAC, industrial maintenance, and industrial automation. Flexible shop and lab spaces allow programs to teach, test, build, repair, and adapt as equipment and curriculum evolve.
Together, the shops, labs, exterior work zones, and gathering spaces create a connected environment where technical training is visible across campus. The result is a facility that supports the realities of trade-based instruction while giving each program room to grow.
Engineering
Excellence
Structural steel framing and moment frames create large, unobstructed volumes for equipment, vehicles, and evolving instructional needs. The roof structure supports vehicle service equipment, exhaust systems, and overhead hoists, requiring close coordination with MEP trades.
Repetitive bay spacing and standardized detailing reduced steel weight, streamlined fabrication and erection, and helped minimize framing-related RFIs.
To support open-plan layouts, several interior walls use cantilevered columns to provide out-of-plane support where roof bracing is not feasible. These solutions preserve flexible instructional space while maintaining structural performance.
Along the courtyard, cantilevered canopies create shaded instructional areas and extend learning beyond the building footprint.
A Vierendeel truss supports the brise soleil system and establishes a visual connection between buildings. A custom seismic joint allows the feature to span across structures while accommodating independent movement, preserving architectural continuity and long-term adaptability.
Structural Details, Integrated Design
The structural strategy is visible throughout the complex, from courtyard canopies and curved steel elements to seismic joint detailing and entry tower framing. Each system supports open instructional volumes, exterior learning space, and architectural continuity across multiple connected buildings.
Cantilevered canopies along the courtyard allow instructional space to extend outdoors.
Curved steel elements enable the structure to make the architectural vision a reality and support the theme across various elements.
Seismic joint for the brise-soleil allows for movement and thermal expansion / contraction.
Steel moment frames create large, unobstructed volumes to accommodate equipment, vehicles, and evolving instructional needs. Entry towers are integrated into the framing system while supporting lateral stability.
Structural System Diagram: 3D cutaway illustrating how moment frames, lateral system, repetitive bay spacing, and seismic joint strategy work together to support open-span instructional environments while maintaining structural clarity and continuity. A consistent bay strategy reduces variation and improves constructability, enabling flexible layouts and coordinated systems across the complex.
Case Study
Applied Technology & Trades Complex
Year Completed
2025
Location
Tulare, CA
Market Sector
College & University
A+E Integration
Architectural Design
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Plumbing Engineering
Structural Engineering
Construction Administration
Winner 2026 SEAOCC
Award of Merit in
New Construction
A campus gateway to trades and technology
The Applied Technology & Trades Complex advances Career Technical Education at COS Tulare Center through a 36,000 SF campus environment designed for applied learning, outdoor instruction, and industry connection. Three new buildings tie into the existing Welding Technology facility, bringing agriculture, livestock, welding, and applied trades programs into a more unified setting. The project expands capacity for technical education while creating a clearer campus identity for programs that rely on movement, equipment access, flexible shops, and hands-on instruction.
Located along the west side of the future campus quad, the complex helps define a new academic spine and strengthen connections across the Tulare campus. A dedicated two-acre outdoor education area extends instruction beyond the classroom, giving students space for teaching projects, demonstrations, student events, and collaboration with industry partners. Organized around a central courtyard, the complex creates a more visible and connected learning environment that supports both day-to-day training and the broader role of CTE in the regionʼs workforce.
The architectural language builds on COS Tulareʼs existing Art Deco and Moderne-inspired campus character, adapting rounded forms, vertical accents, and streamlined detailing for a new generation of technical education. Entry towers with backlit vertical signage establish a visible identity for the complex, while metal panels, brise soleil elements, storefront glazing, and public gallery spaces bring shade, scale, and transparency to the exterior. Together, these elements connect the project to its campus context while putting student work and technical training on display.
Designed Around the Work
The Applied Technology & Trades Complex was planned around the daily movement of students, instructors, vehicles, equipment, and instructional systems. High-bay shop volumes, large roll-up doors, open lab layouts, durable finishes, and open work areas create a practical setting for active Career Technical Education.
Each building is tailored to the programs inside, including agricultural technology, automotive technology, construction technology, electrical training, HVAC, industrial maintenance, and industrial automation. Flexible shop and lab spaces allow programs to teach, test, build, repair, and adapt as equipment and curriculum evolve.
Together, the shops, labs, exterior work zones, and gathering spaces create a connected environment where technical training is visible across campus. The result is a facility that supports the realities of trade-based instruction while giving each program room to grow.
Engineering
Excellence
Structural steel framing and moment frames create large, unobstructed volumes for equipment, vehicles, and evolving instructional needs. The roof structure supports vehicle service equipment, exhaust systems, and overhead hoists, requiring close coordination with MEP trades.
Repetitive bay spacing and standardized detailing reduced steel weight, streamlined fabrication and erection, and helped minimize framing-related RFIs.
To support open-plan layouts, several interior walls use cantilevered columns to provide out-of-plane support where roof bracing is not feasible. These solutions preserve flexible instructional space while maintaining structural performance.
Along the courtyard, cantilevered canopies create shaded instructional areas and extend learning beyond the building footprint.
A Vierendeel truss supports the brise soleil system and establishes a visual connection between buildings. A custom seismic joint allows the feature to span across structures while accommodating independent movement, preserving architectural continuity and long-term adaptability.
COS Tulare Technology and Trades Complex-13
Curved steel elements enable the structure to make the architectural vision a reality and support the theme across various elements.
Seismic joint for the brise-soleil allows for movement and thermal expansion / contraction.
Steel moment frames create large, unobstructed volumes to accommodate equipment, vehicles, and evolving instructional needs. Entry towers are integrated into the framing system while supporting lateral stability. >/span>
Structural System Diagram: 3D cutaway illustrating how moment frames, lateral system, repetitive bay spacing, and seismic joint strategy work together to support open-span instructional environments while maintaining structural clarity and continuity. A consistent bay strategy reduces variation and improves constructability, enabling flexible layouts and coordinated systems across the complex.
The central courtyard and outdoor education area extend learning beyond the shop and lab environments, giving students space for applied projects, demonstrations, events, and industry collaboration. Framed by the new Applied Technology & Trades buildings and the existing Welding Technology facility, the open courtyard reinforces the complexʼs role as a connected hub for Career Technical Education at COS Tulare Center.