by Rob Koran, Vice President, Facilities and Asset Management

As part of West Coast University’s commitment to expanding our educational mission, we have opened our first Texas campus, in Dallas.  The campus was designed to highlight the distinct character of Texas with its color and design theme while also creating unique spaces where students feel welcome and enthusiastic to be a part of the West Coast University community.

West Coast University was honored with the TEXO Merit Award in its May 2012 Design Competition. TEXO is a North Texas construction association whose mission is to build the quality of the construction community. TEXO Awards are given annually to companies and institutions that exhibit exceptional design, construction, and project management.

Our 46,000 square foot Dallas campus features smart technology classrooms to enhance student learning, glass-front offices throughout to enhance and facilitate our University’s collaborative culture, and a sophisticated high technology Nursing Simulation Center. Every detail of the conceptual design was created with the Mission, Vision, and Values of our University and the needs of our students in mind.

The use of bold accent colors on walls and stunning wall graphics using Texas imagery combine to create a dynamic and vibrant environment.  Our classrooms include custom-made “Loteria Card” carpet tiles that lend color and a bit of humor to otherwise formal settings. A grand staircase in the center of the main student quad serves as the centerpiece of the campus. The Simulation Center features life-like, high-fidelity mannequins in realistic patient care settings, and observation and control rooms to enhance hands-on teaching. The learning labs are accented by bold yellow lab tables and colorful flooring. These features, as well as beautiful and unique architecture throughout the campus, earned WCU Dallas the prestigious TEXO Merit award.

West Coast University thanks TEXO for this honor. We are very pleased that our campus was chosen. We also wish to thank our project partners, MAPP Construction, a highly established regional leader in construction, our creative architectural and design team, Shlemmer Algaze Associates, our construction manager, Howard Project Management, and the local Dallas community for their warm welcome.

We are very proud of our team and honored to be recognized only a few days after our Grand Opening.