Dallas County Community College District - Center for Allied Health & Sciences

The Paramount Building was constructed in the 1920s as a warehouse for farm implements, and renovated into office space in the 1990s. Upon acquiring the building, the Dallas County Community College District engaged WHR to completely redesign the space to house its Allied Health and Nursing programs.

WHR designed spaces to accommodate classrooms, lecture halls and specialized teaching areas for laboratory skills, radiological science, surgical technology, respiratory therapy, medical staff services, and other career preparation programs without sacrificing the building’s character. Administrative offices, student computer lab, testing center and student interactive spaces were also part of the design.

The central focus of the building is the existing atrium that runs vertically through all seven stories, allowing daylight to penetrate into the center of the building and reach the teaching and office spaces.

The El Centro College urban campus was able to undertake a much-needed expansion and was equipped to attract top students with world-class teaching facilities in a fresh, inspiring setting.