University & academia PROJECTS

Portfolio

Architects and academic institutions trust PCD for expert design coordination and architectural engineering—particularly for livestock and equestrian-related facilities. Our total-building engineering approach has proven successful in meat labs, equestrian venues, veterinary schools, agricultural campus planning, and rodeo facility design.

By combining architectural engineering expertise with deep knowledge of livestock handling, PCD delivers student-friendly, animal-safe environments that operate efficiently. Our team also supports broader academic and student-athlete facilities, creating flexible, multi-use spaces that meet the needs of students, faculty, and visitors alike.

STORY ARENA: SAU

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

STORY ARENA: SAU

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Story Arena
Southern Arkansas University

Magnolia, Arkansas

Services: Architectural Engineering, Livestock Consulting

Building Activities: Rodeo, Equestrian Activities, Student Events, Community Gatherings, Concerts, Meetings/Conferences, Livestock Shows

Status: Completed 2014

Description: In a phased construction project, Southern Arkansas University added a 79,000 square foot, 1,400 seat multi-purpose facility to serve as a competition arena for the college’s rodeo team and event venue for other university events. In a later phase, a separate concession area, ticket booth, office, administrative and conference room, restrooms and grilling area were added. During this project, PCD worked closely with architects and engineers to ensure all aspects of the project were being considered and reviewed, from constructability issues, to human and livestock safety.

Texas A&M University
Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM ’56 Equine Complex

College Station, Texas

Services: Architectural Engineering, Budgeting, Livestock Consulting

Building Activities: Animal Housing/Stalling, Equestrian Events, Educational Meetings, Receptions, Alumni Events, Student Athlete Recruiting, Horse Training

Status: Completed 2014

Description: This project is a collaborative effort by College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine & Bio Medical Science to build an equine program that “will graduate the industry’s future leaders and generate research and veterinary medical care that will improve the industry and the care and the welfare of the horse”. From this modern facility, Texas A&M faculty will teach, train students and conduct research. The physical components include equestrian team practice/competition arenas, warm-up pens, stall barn, exercise walkers, paddocks and much more. PCD was sought out as the Equestrian Consultant on the project, providing insight into building systems and equipment, architectural engineering, site layout, stalling and arena needs, loading, unloading and housing of equine.

West Texas A&M
Agricultural Sciences Complex

Canyon, Texas

Services: Livestock Consulting

Building Activities: Rodeo, Livestock Judging, Equestrian Events, Educational, Industry Expos, Alumni Events, Student Recruiting

Status: Completed 2018

Description: PCD was hired as a livestock consultant and architectural engineer for the design team for the agriculture science building, pavilion and multi-purpose arena building for West Texas A&M. PCD provided input on site layout, loading and unloading of livestock, stalling and arena needs and equipment layout for a USDA-compliant meat lab in the science building. The pavilion includes a “wet-live” lab with elevated seating for student lectures, while the multi-purpose arena includes a competition arena for the university’s rodeo team.

North Dakota
State University
Research Ext. Centers

Hettinger • Dickinson
Central Grasslands REC in Streeter
Carrington

Hettinger 1

Hettinger 2

Dickinson 1

Dickinson 2

Streeter 1

Streeter 2

Carrington 1

Carrington 2

Architect: ICON Architects; Keith Sweson

Building Activities: Livestock Management, Crop and Range Science, Wildlife and Environmental Research, Agricultural Extension Outreach

Status: Completed 2025

Hettinger REC: Remodel and preservation of a historic heritage barn to expand indoor sheep handling for year-round, hands-on learning. The project included a new automated feed study facility for tracking intake and weight gain, secure holding areas, and climate-conscious site placement. Also designed the Hettinger Livestock Research Lab for the Beef Unit, seamlessly integrated into an existing university farm with connected feedlots and durable, functional materials for safe and efficient livestock research.

Central Grasslands REC: Designed new cattle feed, working and study environment for NDSU. The new penning and buildings were designed and located within the site to work with the existing farm infrastructure, buildings and grasslands. Cattle alleyways connect existing pastures to new feed lot yards and the new yards lead to the working facility. The new cattle center includes cattle working systems and instruction break out space.

Carrington REC: New feed study facility for cattle, integrated into existing field cattle campus. The facility utilized SmartFeed® technology systems to continuously log data to determine feed intake per animal, allowing for close monitoring of affect of feed rations on cattle weight.

Ready To Start Your Project?

We’ll help bring your vision to life with a space designed for performance, function, and lasting quality.

University & academia PROJECTS