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The Kirksey + GUND Team partnered on this 71,000-sf, $27.5 million Visual Arts Complex and $4.5 million central plant upgrade for Sam Houston State University. The four-floor terra-cotta clad arts complex includes studio and gallery space, and consolidates the art facilities that are currently spread across seven separate campus buildings. The project is anchored at the north entry by an arts plaza featuring a glass spiral sculpture by Texas artist Margo Sawyer. Inside, a formal two-story volume art gallery features rotating art work. The ground level contains the WASH (Workshop in Art Studio and History) program, a student resource center, a sculpture and ceramics studio, a well-equipped wood and metal shop, and small outdoor foundry. The third floor houses the graphic design and animation studios along with and an audio and editing lab. The painting, drawing and printmaking studios are located on the top floor complete with full height windows capturing north light, along with a highly sophisticated professional photo studio.