UA_Engineer_25_FINAL_spreads (1) - Flipbook - Page 8
New Spaces and Places
by Natalie Crouse
s the College of Engineering recruits new
students and faculty and expands its
offering of top-tier programs, it is imperative
to ensure that its spaces are equally equipped
to provide a world-class education. To stay
ahead of the demand, the College has recently
added and updated facilities with futurefocused designs and spaces for collaboration
and discovery. These additions are empowering
the next generation of engineers and fueling the
College’s bold vision for academic excellence.
A
enhanced both internal efficiency and the visitor
experience. The third-floor update underscores
the College’s forward-thinking approach to
space planning and investment in long-term
institutional success.
With these upgrades, H.M. Comer Hall
remains not only a cornerstone of the College’s
identity but also a dynamic, future-ready
administrative hub that reflects UA’s broader
mission to advance innovation and excellence
in engineering education.
Engineering Administrative Suite
Facility for Outreach, Research,
Training and Education
Central to these efforts was the renovation
of the third-floor departmental suite in H.M.
Comer Hall. The College’s seven academic
departments have been relocated into new
or upgraded facilities in H.M. Comer Hall and
surrounding buildings, allowing the vacated
space to be transformed into a more efficient
administrative core.
Spanning nearly 13,000 square feet,
the reimagined third floor now serves as
the College’s operational hub, housing key
administrative units, including financial services,
external affairs and the dean’s office. The more
functional layout prioritizes connectivity and a
streamlined flow between departments.
The $2.6 million project was funded through
a combination of resources from Academic
Affairs and College of Engineering reserves.
Construction, which began in October 2024 and
concluded two months later, was executed on a
tight timeline without compromising quality or
vision. Birmingham-based architecture firm KPS
Group led the design, focusing on maximizing
natural light, upgrading infrastructure and
creating welcoming, versatile workspaces.
Snow-Blakeney Construction managed the
build, ensuring the project stayed on track
and aligned with the College’s evolving needs.
Beyond aesthetics, the transformation
has already improved daily operations and
cross-functional communication. Updated
infrastructure supports greater technological
integration, while the more intuitive layout has
8 | CAPSTONE ENGINEER | FALL 2025
Formerly the Tuscaloosa Music Building, the
Facility for Outreach, Research, Training and
Education is a versatile resource for the College
of Engineering, UA SafeState and the UA OSHA
Training Institute Education Center.
The name FORTE is a nod not only to
strength in training and education but also
to the building’s unique history, with forte
meaning “loud” in musical terms.
The facility features two advanced
classrooms and two specialized labs for
hands-on training in industrial safety and
fire dynamics. In the industrial training lab,
students practice real-world applications such
as equipment inspection and lead containment
and removal using a scaled model house.
The fire dynamics and process safety lab
expands UA’s academic and research potential
by allowing for new collaborations between
fire science, process safety and engineering to
offer a holistic safety education for students.
Additionally, the research and training made
possible by this space expands UA’s industrial
and governmental partnership potential.
FORTE’s purpose is encapsulated in its
twofold vision: to provide education and
training with real-world applications that
enhance workers’ knowledge—empowering
them to return home safely to their families
each day—and to position UA as a forerunner
in engineering safety.
