thomas assembly center

Working closely with the Tech administration and athletic department, as well as the State of Louisiana, SBB provided full architectural services that included programming, site selection/analysis, and interior design for this 189,500 square foot 8,000-seat, multi-purpose sports and recreation arena.  The facility also is a venue for concerts and conferences/meetings.  SBB carefully guided the university through the development process and solved many of the complex issues related to site, facility, and construction management.

The center features sophisticated sound systems as well as lighting and stage rigging for concerts.  ESPN Sports Network has stated that this facility is among the best in the country for filming and broadcasting live television coverage of sporting events.

The building is fitted with men’s and women’s locker rooms, visiting locker rooms, VIP areas, food service areas, back-of-house facilities, and office areas for the facility, sports teams and the athletic department.

The facility was sited within a hillside to provide access at mid level seating and to provide more human scale to this facility.  Siting considerations also included the sharing of parking with the university’s football stadium.

The firm received the Prestressed Concrete Insitiute’s Special Recognition Award.