Architect Firm Selected for Proposed Center for Workforce Development
Dec 6, 2018Rockingham Community College Press Release – Dec. 3, 2018
ADW Architects has been selected as the designer for Rockingham Community College’s proposed Center for Workforce Development.
The Charlotte firm was among 17 companies that submitted proposals to the college. The RCC Board of Trustees approved a selection committee’s recommendation of ADW at its September 4, 2018 meeting, and the State Construction Office has completed negotiation of a fee for services as required for projects of this size.
Design work and approvals by the state are expected to take about 12 months, followed by a construction period of 12-18 months.
The selection committee’s recommendation was based on criteria that included experience with similar projects, design approach, formal interview and presentation, and client references.
Established in 1977, ADW has a staff of more than 40 including 19 licensed architects. The firm has worked with eight community colleges in North and South Carolina, and their projects include workforce development facilities at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC, and at Horry-Georgetown Technical College in Georgetown, SC.
“Rockingham Community College looks forward to partnering with ADW to create a unique educational facility for Rockingham County,” said Dr. Mark Kinlaw, RCC president. “The firm’s experience with similar facilities and knowledge of our educational needs makes them a good fit for this project.”
“ADW Architects is thrilled to have been chosen to work with the college to design the new Center for Workforce Development,” said Jim Powell, managing principal with ADW. “Our team is passionate about designing inspiring spaces for community colleges. We are experienced in the design of workforce development facilities, and we look forward to working collaboratively with your students, staff, administration and trustees to create a building that will function well on the inside, present well to the community on the outside, and inspire students as they work to achieve their educational goals.”
The Center for Workforce Development is just one positive result of the passage of Rockingham County’s quarter-cent sales tax ballot initiative in May 2018. The center is a new facility to house workforce development and industrial technology programs such as computer-integrated machining, welding, and electrical systems. The center will greatly enhance the community’s current and future workforce with continuing education and training opportunities to meet the growing demands of a more diverse, high-technology job market.
