- Client: Gulf Coast State College
- General Contractor: Burke Construction Group
- Electrical Contractor: Barts Electric
- Completion: 2025
Overview
Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) has long been a cornerstone of higher education in Panama City, Florida. In a bold move to enhance its STEM curriculum and facilities, GCSC launched the construction of a new, state-of-the-art STEM building to replace its nearly seven-decade-old natural sciences facility. Located on the college’s main campus—just feet from the edge of St. Andrews Bay—the project represents a strategic investment in the future of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Barts Electric was honored to serve as the electrical subcontractor on this landmark facility, working alongside general contractor Burke Construction Group to bring this project to life.
Project Scope
The new STEM building is a three-story concrete structure constructed using insulated concrete form (ICF) walls. This innovative building method uses foam forms filled with concrete, offering exceptional thermal insulation, structural strength, and resilience against Florida’s coastal weather conditions. Given the building’s proximity to the bay, just steps from the water, durability and resistance to wind, water, and salt exposure were critical design considerations.
Inside, the facility includes:
- Advanced laboratories for biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy.
- Faculty and staff office spaces designed for collaboration and productivity.
- Modern conference rooms and student lounges that encourage interaction, study, and relaxation.
- Cutting-edge building systems, including comprehensive electrical infrastructure installed by Barts Electric to meet the demands of a 21st-century academic environment.
