Location: 
Sour Lake, Texas
Total Square Feet: 7,875
Construction Period: Aug 2001 to Nov 2002

Construction Team
General Contractor: Brammer Construction - P.O. Box 1582, Nederland, TX 77627
Structural Engineer: Fittz & Shipman, Inc. - 1405 Cornerstone Court, Beaumont, TX 77706
Electrical & Mechanical Engineer: Lechtenberg Consulting
- 7999 Gladys Avenue, #101B, Beaumont, TX 77706

It is always a challenge working with rural school districts whose building budgets are tight because of lowered taxation land values. In this case the owner wished to expand their athletic facilities on a budget. The expansion would allow existing facilities to be modified allowing facilities for boys and girls to be more equitable.

In addition to budget constraints, the site near the existing track and football field was required to be raised almost five feet above existing grade due to its location in a 100-year flood plain. Site work to allow accessible entry to the building included a sidewalk, handrails and ramp from the handicapped parking spaces to the north entrance of the track. Vehicle accessibility from the track to the storage room on the north side of the building was required to allow for storage of track and field equipment.

The site is surrounded by residential homes, many with livestock barns and outbuildings. The challenge in the design was to give the new field house an image that was both contemporary but reflected the surrounding architecture and it’s rural nature. Durability of exterior materials along with their appropriate rural character was a major driving force in the selection of materials for the buildings exterior. For these reasons, corrugated galvanized wall panels combined with split face CMU were used for wall materials. The north face of the building has large overhangs to protect the facade from southeast Texas’ rains. The school’s hawk head mascot is featured in the gable facing the football field and is backlit for night illumination. 

Economy was also taken into account on the building’s interior. Floor and wall surfaces needed to be able to withstand the everyday abuse of boy’s athletic teams. Floor finishes range from sealed concrete in the dressing rooms to VCT and ceramic tile in the corridors and all ceramic tile in the showers and restrooms.

The Hardin/Jefferson High School Field House will give the faculty and students many years of use and enjoyment. 

MANUFACTURERS/SUPPLIERS

DIV 07: Sealants: Sonneborn; Insulation: Knauf; Asphalt Shingles: Tamko.
DIV 08: Windows: All Seasons; Hardware: Hager, Best, Von Duprin.
DIV 09: Gypsum: United States Gypsum; Grout: Laticrete, Custom Building Products; Rubber Flooring: Tuflex; Rubber Base: Johnsonite; VCT: Armstrong; Paint: Pittsburgh Paint.