Science, Technology, Engineering, and Innovation (STEI) Building
Civil, Geotechnical, Survey
Blinn College District’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Innovation (STEI) Building was designed to facilitate hands-on learning by integrating laboratories, collaborative workspaces, and technology. The STEI Building fosters an interactive learning environment that bridges the gap between theory and real-world application. To prepare for a successful project, our team performed a geotechnical investigation to determine soil and groundwater conditions and deliver foundation, pavement, and site preparation recommendations. We provided boundary and topographic surveying, utility identification, control establishment, and platting to supply the design team with accurate site data for planning, coordination, and construction. Gessner Engineering further supported the project with civil design services including site planning, grading and drainage design, utility coordination, and parking and feasibility studies ultimately producing construction-ready documents and assisting with permitting.
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Project Size
Challenges
Successfully delivering this facility required navigating several site-specific and campus-wide constraints. Utility tie-ins within the city’s infrastructure demanded careful coordination with local agencies to ensure efficient connections without disrupting campus operations. The high volume of student foot traffic required a safe, accessible pedestrian circulation system, including enhanced crosswalks. Additionally, the site’s natural topography and the building’s extended footprint created ADA accessibility challenges that needed to be addressed without compromising aesthetics or functionality.
Solutions
The project team worked collaboratively to resolve these challenges through targeted, campus-focused design strategies. Coordinated utility planning enabled smooth tie-ins with minimal operational impact. Pedestrian pathways and crosswalks were enhanced to support safe, intuitive movement across campus. Thoughtfully designed ramps and circulation routes overcame grade changes while meeting ADA requirements and maintaining visual cohesion. To support sustainability and preserve surface space for student use, the site incorporates an underground private stormwater detention system.
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