Midlands Technical College Advanced Welding Center

Columbia, South Carolina

The former “Industrial Building,” located on the outer edge of the Airport Campus at Midlands Technical College, was transformed in 2020 into the Advanced Welding Center through a comprehensive renovation and addition. The revitalized facility now houses 64 welding stations, an industrial lab, outdoor grinding stations, classrooms, offices, and support spaces. The design team faced several challenges, including upgrading the building’s aesthetics, reorienting the entry, and maximizing a modest budget.

A key design objective was to make the building itself a teaching tool for students. To achieve this, exterior detailing—including window and door surrounds, the overhang on the new addition, and the boxed entry feature—was constructed using steel plating. Structural elements were intentionally exposed, with wide-flange steel beams and pipe-shaped columns featuring welded connections, emphasizing the significance of welding in the construction industry.

Sustainability was also a priority. The landscaping incorporates steel slag xeriscaping, which not only reinforces the design concept including steel detailing site but also reduces maintenance and eliminates the need for irrigation. These strategic design decisions ensure that the building not only serves its functional purpose but also actively contributes to the education of future welders.

Individual experience of Gene Bell as Project Manager/ Architect while working at Watson Tate Savory.

PROJECT DATE

2020

PHOTOGRAPHY

gmatsonphoto

Gene Bell

DRAWINGS / ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

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