FORT WORTH, Texas — The University of Texas at Arlington will partner with global interdisciplinary architecture firm HKS and national general contracting and design-build firm Hensel Phelps to develop the first facility for the University system’s new UTA West campus.
The University of Texas at Arlington—a public research university in the growing Dallas-Fort Worth area—has a student body of more than 41,000, making it the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System. Located in west Fort Worth, UTA West will focus on meeting future educational needs and fostering economic development in the fast-growing region.
“The boldest dreams need a visionary and ambitious team if they are to be realized,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said in a statement. “Between HKS, Hensel Phelps, and UTA, the team we have assembled will ensure UTA West’s development aligns with our strategic plan, supporting our mission of excellence in education, research and community engagement.”
The project team was announced on April 18 and was selected through a competitive process. HKS’ and Hensel Phelps’ focus on sustainable, innovative design and construction were well-aligned with UTA’s mission to create spaces that empower students and strengthen community connections, according to a statement by the university.
John Hall, UTA vice president for administration and economic development, noted in a statement that it was important that the university appoint a design-build team that would respect the natural beauty of the site, establish design standards that would guide future development, and bring proven experience to successfully execute the program and construction documents.
“HKS and Hensel Phelps is certainly that team,” Hall said.
Work on Phase I will begin soon, focusing on developing a primary identity for the campus driven by a landmark building and public space that embraces the surrounding natural environment.
“The needs of students and faculty are shifting at an ever-accelerating pace,” said Leonardo Gonzalez Sangri, global practice director, education, and partner at HKS, in a statement. “Preparing for careers that we can’t yet fully anticipate demands a careful and purposeful approach. We are excited to bring decades of expertise, a passion for innovation and our evidence-based and research-informed approach to collaborate with The University of Texas at Arlington in creating a new campus that meets this challenge and sets a standard for the future of education.”
To date, Hensel Phelps has delivered more than $5 billion in higher education projects, while focusing on safety, quality, schedule and budget control, according to Michael Orlowski, operations manager with Hensel Phelps. This includes numerous projects with The University of Texas System over the last 40 years, providing design-build and construction manager-at-risk services at multiple campuses, including UT Arlington. In total, Hensel Phelps has delivered 46 projects worth over $3 billion, spanning more than 12 million square feet for the System.
“Our years of higher education experience, combined with this attention to client satisfaction, have helped us establish best practices related to campus safety and communication, meeting schedules to align with campus events and engaging multiple stakeholders,” Orlowski said in a statement.
A ceremonial groundbreaking for the new campus took place on April 3, and infrastructure installation will begin later this year. More significant development will commence in 2026, and the new campus should welcome its first students as early as fall 2028 and will eventually aim to serve more than 10,000 students.