AUTOARCH was selected to lead the design of a unique dual-institution academic facility for Alief ISD and Houston Community College. The 25,000 SF high school is integrated into the first two floors of a new 1,000-space cast-in-place parking garage and includes an adjacent Outdoor Learning Center. The project aimed to create a shared academic environment within an active college campus, providing Early College students access to higher education resources.
AUTOARCH provided full planning, programming, architecture, engineering, and interior design services. Our team bridged the needs of two institutions—each with distinct operational standards—into one cohesive facility. The design emphasized connectivity through pedestrian pathways and a shared plaza, linking AECHS with existing campus amenities such as the library, food court, and labs. The project followed a fast-track delivery model with phased permitting (site/foundation, shell, and interior build-out), allowing the school to be completed in just 12 months. Construction occurred within an active campus, requiring close coordination and creative problem-solving throughout.
The project was delivered on time and within budget, successfully uniting two educational systems into one flexible, high-performing facility. AECHS serves as a model for early college design—one that reflects true collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to student success.
