Phillips 66 | JA Discovery Center
Houston, TX
Completion Date: 2025
Owner: Gauge Real Estate Partners
Developer: Arch-Con Corporation
Architect: Kirksey Architecture
The Phillips 66 | JA Discovery Center was envisioned as more than just a learning facility, it was designed to become a transformative building where students across Southeast Texas could gain the confidence, skills, and inspiration needed for long-term academic and professional success. Designed to support educational programs centered on financial literacy, career readiness, entrepreneurship, and workforce development, the 40,000-square-foot center provides students with hands-on interactive learning experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world application.
Jordan & Skala Engineers (JSE) partnered with the team to help transform this vision into a functional and high-performing educational environment. Our team provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering design services throughout the facility, including classrooms, offices, and multipurpose spaces. The mission of the project was to prepare future generations for meaningful careers and responsible financial decision-making. Through immersive programs such as JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, and the JA Company Program, students are introduced to realistic simulations that allow them to step into the roles of business owners, employees, consumers, and future professionals. Once operating at full capacity, the facility is expected to serve approximately 32,000 students each year, extending its influence across the Southeast Texas region.
One of the project’s challenges involved coordinating building systems within the high-ceiling spaces. The design team needed to carefully integrate HVAC systems, creating a complex coordination effort. In addition, rooftop equipment locations had to be strategically planned to accommodate solar installations, requiring thoughtful long-term infrastructure planning. Our mechanical team designed single-zone VAV packaged rooftop units that balanced occupant comfort. Our electrical team designed a 120/208V, 3-phase electrical system with provisions for solar expansion, along with local lighting controls to support flexible operation throughout the facility. Our plumbing designers used a traditional waste and vent system alongside domestic water systems, utilizing high-efficiency, low-flow fixtures to support sustainability goals.
The Phillips 66 | JA Discovery Center was imagined as an experience students would remember long after their visit, one that inspires career exploration, encourages personal growth, and provides practical life skills they can carry into adulthood. The center reflects how thoughtful engineering and collaborative design can support a larger educational mission. By pairing technical expertise with a clear understanding of its community impact, the project helps prepare students for future success.
Copyright Photography by: Arch-Con Corporation