University of North Texas Implements Modular Construction

The University of North Texas has partnered with Ramtech Building Systems on a modular construction project in Denton. The three-building installation provides 38,000 sf of instructional space, conference rooms, and faculty and administrative offices. Designed to showcase the speed and versatility of moveable modular construction, the $3.5 million project has enabled the relocation of key programs as part of the new $130 million University Union project. The manufacturing phase was completed in May of 2013 and installation of the prefabricated sections was substantially complete prior to the end of August, allowing the University to move into the buildings prior to the start of the academic year. Ramtech provided design assistance to Jacobs Engineering Group, the architect for the project, and worked closely with The Beck Group, the construction manager that provided the site-built structures which connect to the modular buildings at each location.

The buildings are spread across two locations, with the first site housing the University's College of Visual Arts and Design as well as the Department of Counseling and Higher Education programs. Both of these facilities include standard and specialized spaces for classrooms, studio lab teaching spaces, work rooms, conference rooms, and faculty and staff offices. The Fibers and Fashion building also includes a climate controlled vault space for up to 20,000 pieces of the Texas Fashion Collection, while the counseling building provides for technology-rich monitored clinical rooms. The second site accommodates the Department of Dance and Theater Arts and includes space for a student reception area, conference room, instrument storage, faculty and staff offices, four large dance rooms, and a computer lab. All of the buildings were installed on poured foundations and use a HardiePanel stucco embossed exterior painted to match the surrounding area, while the interiors utilize vinyl covered gypsum walls and a combination of vinyl composition tile and commercial grade carpet on the floors.