CPTC Aviation Center

McGRANAHAN architects project: Darrin Filand, AIA - Senior Lead Designer

The primary objective of the new facility was to relocate the Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) Aviation program from the Lakewood main campus to Pierce County Airport (Thun Field) in Puyallup to enable stronger industry partnerships and make room for future, main campus expansion. The 53,000 square foot Aviation Center houses airframes/powerplant repair and commercial pilot training programs.

The design integrates five components of the aviation program: maintenance hanger, labs, classrooms, administration and pilot’s curriculum. Each of these design elements has a unique architectural expression that was inspired by aviation. The facility combines pre-engineered and conventional building systems, seeking economy while optimizing the best attributes of each system respectively.