The University of Texas at Arlington is proud to announce that it is partnering with HKS, an award-winning global architecture firm, and Hensel Phelps, a leading national general contractor and design-builder, to design and build the initial facility and related infrastructure for UTA West.
This collaboration marks a bold step forward for the new campus, which will be located in west Fort Worth and dedicated to fostering economic development and meeting the future educational needs of one of the fastest growing areas in the country.
HKS, renowned for its cutting-edge designs and transformative projects, will bring its world-class expertise to transform UTA West into a dynamic, future-focused environment for students, faculty and industry partners. Hensel Phelps, which has worked extensively with the UT System, will develop and construct UTA West.
"The boldest dreams need a visionary and ambitious team if they are to be realized," UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. "Between HKS, Hensel Phelps, and UTA, the team we have assembled will ensure UTA West's development aligns with our strategic plan, supporting our mission of excellence in education, research, and community engagement."
This partnership is a result of a competitive selection process that the University undertook to identify the best team to bring UTA West to life. Both firms specialize in the type of sustainable, innovative design and construction that align perfectly with UTA's mission to create spaces that empower students and strengthen community connections. They have built and designed iconic and impactful educational spaces across the country.
"It was extremely important to appoint a design-build team that will respect the natural beauty of the site, establish design standards that will guide future development of UTA West, and bring proven experience to execute the program and construction documents successfully," said John Hall, UTA vice president for administration and economic development. "HKS and Hensel Phelps is certainly that team. We look forward to continuing to collaborate and partner with the Fort Worth and Parker County communities to offer access to a tier one higher education experience that develops the region's future workforce," Hall added.
The firms will soon begin the first phase of the UTA West design. It will focus on creating a primary identity for the campus by envisioning a landmark building and a public space where students can connect and innovate. HKS will look to create a campus that embraces its environment, drawing inspiration from nature in and around Parker County to develop a unique space for UTA West.
"The needs of students and faculty are shifting at an ever-accelerating pace," said Leonardo Gonzalez Sangri, global practice director, education, and partner at HKS. "Preparing for careers that we can't yet fully anticipate demands a careful and purposeful approach. We are excited to bring decades of expertise, a passion for innovation and our evidence-based and research-informed approach to collaborate with The University of Texas at Arlington in creating a new campus that meets this challenge and sets a standard for the future of education."
"As a Building Design + Construction-designated top-ranked university contractor with over $5 billion in successfully delivered higher education projects, Hensel Phelps embraces these challenges while focusing on safety, quality, schedule and budget control," said Michael Orlowski, operations manager with Hensel Phelps. "Our years of higher education experience, combined with this attention to client satisfaction, have helped us establish best practices related to campus safety and communication, meeting schedules to align with campus events and engaging multiple stakeholders."
On April 3, UTA officials and community and industry leaders celebrated an important milestone in the development of UTA West with a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony. The University expects to begin welcoming students at the new campus as early as fall 2028, with infrastructure installation starting later this year and development beginning in 2026. UTA West will be advantageously positioned at the intersection of I-30 and I-20 at the western gateway of Fort Worth within the Walsh Ranch development and will be a part of a multi-year plan to serve more than 10,000 students.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 41,000, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
About HKS
HKS is an interdisciplinary global design firm of 1,500 architects, designers, planners and advisors across 29 offices. The firm partners with clients to design and develop elegant solutions to complex challenges. From iconic gathering places to healing environments, HKS designs enhance experiences and elevate outcomes for all stakeholders. The firm's work is inspired by curiosity, driven by research and technology and informed by a deep understanding of human and environmental needs. HKS is proud to be a carbon neutral firm since 2023.
About Hensel Phelps
Founded in 1937, Hensel Phelps is a leading general contractor and design-builder specializing in building development, construction and facility services. As one of the largest employee-owned companies in the U.S., Hensel Phelps takes a comprehensive approach to turning clients' visions into reality. Ranked the No. 8 design-build firm by Engineering News-Record and No. 16 in university work by Building Design + Construction in 2024, the company has delivered over $9.5 billion and more than 21 million square feet in the sector. Hensel Phelps has worked extensively with The University of Texas System over the last 40 years, providing design-build and construction manager-at-risk services at multiple campuses, including UT Arlington. A testament of this strong relationship, Hensel Phelps has delivered 46 projects worth over $3 billion, spanning more than 12 million square feet for the System, more than any other builder.
