Tinker Ma is currently designing the Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Livingston’s Main Academic and Administration Building. The facility will serve as the public face of the campus and house current administrative functions, student services, and academic space for Cosmetology and Aesthetics, Nursing, and Pharmacy Technology programs. Additionally, it will function as a hub for students and a civic center providing space for TCAT to engage the community. Consistent with TCAT’s mission and values, the building itself will serve as a teaching tool. Building systems will be visible in many areas and signage will communicate their use.

The project includes a new building and related site development including parking paving, on-grade and elevated walkways, utilities, and landscaping. The building is situated along the highway directly on High Tech Drive, the main entry into campus. The structure will be a steel frame, and the exterior will consist of brick masonry and metal panels. The ground floor will be a brick base that complements TCAT’s existing buildings. The second story will utilize metal panel cladding that wraps around the building. There will be moments where the metal cladding exposes the brick that extends to the second story. Continuous lighting provides additional depth where the metal panel and the brick wall intersect. A north-facing metal panel provides privacy for a pocket roof terrace where students may study and gather. A stronger light fixture running behind the perforated screens will light the screen from behind at night.

The building’s east entrance is the main public entrance. It provides access to student services, the multipurpose room, and a student lounge. An open staircase with expressed structural columns leads to an additional student lounge space, a flexible, multi-use conference room, and an administrative suite with offices for the President and Vice-President. The west entrance is primarily for students and cosmetology clients. It features a reception kiosk, a client waiting area, and a cosmetology lab space. The second floor houses the nursing lab space, hospital beds with training manikins, two classrooms, a pharmacy technology lab, and a shared faculty office. In addition to this project, Tinker Ma recently completed the design for TCAT Livingston’s Diesel Technology Facility. The project team enjoys a strong working relationship with TCAT leadership and stakeholders.