Developing creativity and turning innovations into tangible applications.


The recently completed University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Science and Engineering Building is approximately 140,000 SF spread across four stories with a mechanical penthouse on the 5th floor. In addition to classrooms, maker spaces, faculty offices, science and engineering instructional laboratories, this facility also houses UTSA’s new chemical engineering program, which launched this fall. The bachelor’s program will prepare students for careers in the oil and gas, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, environmental engineering and materials engineering industries. The building includes a two-story distillation column that will allow chemical engineering students to study different types of mixtures, just as practicing chemical engineers do in industrial facilities. The instrument was made possible by a gift from Bill and Margie Klesse through the Klesse Foundation.

UTSA Science & Engineering

The Details


Dedicated gathering area where people with similar engineering and technology interests can collaborate on projects by sharing ideas, equipment, materials, and knowledge Includes the new Center for Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship to help faculty members and students take UTSA discoveries, products, and services to market. Another of the building’s unique features is the magnitude of its exterior and interior glass. Many of the laboratories in the building will be surrounded by glass so students and visitors can witness the work underway, a concept referred to as science on display. The goal is to encourage interaction among students from different majors and create opportunities for students to connect with people who have different interests. In addition to engaging more students in research, the approach has been shown to improve student retention and graduation rates.

“During these and other projects, your staff has developed an excellent rapport with UTSA personnel and the resultant team attitude and willingness to aid our campus has been exceptional.”


Charles E. LampeDirector of FacilitiesThe University of Texas at San Antonio

Privacy Preference Center