UA Little Rock Unveils Redesigned Construction Lab

A scaffold is inspected at the Nabholz Construction High Bay Lab at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has unveiled a newly- renovated lab for construction management and civil engineering students.

The Nabholz Construction High Bay Lab has been redesigned to provide a workspace for classes, student projects, and demonstrations for students, faculty, and industry members. The lab is located on the first floor of the Engineering, Technology, and Applied Science Building at UA Little Rock.

Nabholz Construction Corp. of Conway donated materials and labor to update the 35-year-old lab. The company has provided a $30,000 donation to maintain and provide supplies for the lab for the next five years.

Hollis Bray, chair of the Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering, called the renovation a “major facelift.” He said it will add much-needed storage space for lab supplies and support classes in safety, concrete formwork, steel erection, materials engineering and more.

UA Little Rock said the Nabholz Lab is part of an ongoing partnership with central Arkansas construction firms to provide education and career preparation. Last fall, the Clark Project Management Lab opened to provide a place for students to learn about estimating, construction scheduling, project administration, and other construction management topics. The lab was renovated by Clark Contractors LLC of Little Rock and other industry partners.