The Hugh L. Libby Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) anchors a new career and technical neighborhood on campus, demonstrating the College’s strong commitment to technology and innovation, and providing unique opportunities for collaboration and industry partnerships. The building serves as a dynamic academic setting for the programs housed within, including HVAC, electrical, automation, automotive, and continuing education.

The CTEC facility operates as a high-performance environment and a living, teaching, and learning laboratory, allowing occupants to observe its inner workings and mechanics. Plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and structural components are openly visible in strategic locations, giving students and visitors the opportunity to learn from the building systems on a daily basis.

The project serves as a gateway, designed to integrate and strengthen important campus connections. In addition to providing vibrant interior spaces for learning and instruction, the building is thoughtfully sited to provide rich exterior spaces and unique landscape typologies that vary both in function and style. There is a large lawn area for active play and shaded hardscape zones for passive gathering and events. Large native meadows of prairie grasses provide a soft, lush contrast to the refined material expression of the building. Such spaces were carefully conceived to be performative, assisting in both stormwater treatment as well as minimizing long-term maintenance needs.