Gone are the days of institutionalizing students (their parents may have to be locked up in straight jackets, though, when they get the tuition bills) with CMU walls and concrete-floored dorms. Most universities have replaced those projects with apartment-style student housing, three-story framed construction with outdoor corridors, says JQ principal Tom Scott (right, with fellow principalStephen Lucy). The biggest reason for the change is the cost-savings for the universities, he tells us. ?They're quicker to build with less up-front expense and more flexibility,? he says. These projects are plentiful, too, as college enrollment is up (especially at satellite campuses) driving the need for quick housing—start-to-finish takes about 18 months. 

JQ has done two phases (totaling 168k SF of housing at a price tag of $26M) at Tarleton State University in Stephenville (Legends Hall, pictured). The first phase was a design-build, three-story wood frame construction and the second phase is under construction. Tom says universities are doing design-builds more to speed up the process. The contractors are often brought in with the design team to offer cost-saving tips during the process. Beyond building student housing (they don't call 'em dorms anymore), Tom likes to do woodworkingat home. He designs and builds furniture and is making a living room set for his home. He's already built a couple of cherry wood end tables—next is a coffee table and then an entertainment center.