Ruth & Steve West Workforce Development Center

At the Ruth and Steve West Workforce Development Center Barber McMurry's design utilized custom details throughout to tell Pellissippi State Community College's story in Blount County.

The exterior design responds to the campus's existing traditional architecture through materiality, particularly the use of brick, while adding significant modern elements to reflect the technical, modern curriculum taught within. Inside, bold brand colors — blue and gold for Pellissippi State, and red for TCAT Knoxville — interject vibrancy and life while serving as wayfinding cues. In the lobby, a wall of historic Tennessee marble, originally used on the college's first Blount County campus, is inscribed with dedication and donor information. On the patio, a custom sunshade utilized welding symbols to cast distinctive shadows over an outdoor dining and study area.

The building is flexible, accommodating academic and workforce development programs that evolve with changing technologies and workforce needs. Academic programs include advanced manufacturing, engineering technology, computer science, cyber defense, robotics and culinary arts.