Client: Gulf Coast State College
General Contractor: Burke Construction Group
Electrical Contractor: Barts Electric
Completion: 2025
Overview
Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) has long been a cornerstone of higher education in Panama City, Florida. In a bold move to enhance its STEM curriculum and facilities, GCSC launched the construction of a new, state-of-the-art STEM building to replace its nearly seven-decade-old natural sciences facility. Located on the college’s main campus—just feet from the edge of St. Andrews Bay—the project represents a strategic investment in the future of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Barts Electric was honored to serve as the electrical subcontractor on this landmark facility, working alongside general contractor Burke Construction Group to bring this project to life.
Project Scope
The new STEM building is a three-story concrete structure constructed using insulated concrete form (ICF) walls. This innovative building method uses foam forms filled with concrete, offering exceptional thermal insulation, structural strength, and resilience against Florida’s coastal weather conditions. Given the building’s proximity to the bay, just steps from the water, durability and resistance to wind, water, and salt exposure were critical design considerations.
Inside, the facility includes:
- Advanced laboratories for biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy.
- Faculty and staff office spaces designed for collaboration and productivity.
- Modern conference rooms and student lounges that encourage interaction, study, and relaxation.
- Cutting-edge building systems, including comprehensive electrical infrastructure installed by Barts Electric to meet the demands of a 21st-century academic environment.
Our Role
Barts Electric was selected to handle all electrical work for the new STEM facility—a responsibility we approached with precision, professionalism, and pride. Our work included power distribution, specialized electrical systems for high-tech labs, lighting controls, and support for low-voltage systems essential to campus operations.
This project also marked our first partnership with Burke Construction. Collaboration was seamless, and we’re proud to share that Burke recognized our team’s dedication to quality, timeliness, and proactive communication throughout the build.
Unique Challenges
Constructing a high-performance educational building on a waterfront property presented distinct challenges:
- Environmental exposure to salt air, hurricanes, and high winds required corrosion-resistant components and rugged installation techniques.
- Coordination with ICF wall systems necessitated early-stage collaboration to ensure optimal placement of conduit, boxes, and sleeves.
- Tight project timelines demanded efficiency and strategic workforce planning to stay ahead of schedule without compromising quality.
Thanks to the meticulous planning of our project team and the strong relationship built with Burke Construction and GCSC, these challenges were not only met—but overcome with excellence.
Results & Impact
With construction nearing completion in 2025, the new STEM building at GCSC is poised to become a regional hub for science and innovation. Its world-class facilities will empower students, attract top faculty, and support workforce development for years to come.
For Barts Electric, the project stands as a testament to our capabilities in educational construction and our adaptability in coastal, high-demand environments. It also represents a successful new relationship with a general contractor who shares our commitment to excellence.
Testimonial
“This was a new science building for the college with state-of-the-art labs for biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy. Located right on the bay, the structure demanded strength and durability. We were proud to handle the electrical systems on this project—especially given the environmental challenges. It was our first time working with Burke Construction, and they were very pleased with the results.”
— Jackie Norris, Barts Electric Project Manager
Conclusion
The Gulf Coast State College STEM building is more than just a facility—it’s an investment in the future of education and community impact. At Barts Electric, we’re proud to have played a key role in its development. This project reinforces our reputation for delivering complex, high-performance electrical systems—on time, on budget, and built to last.