York Technical College Space Utilization Study + Master Plan

York Technical College faced evolving student engagement, growing academic programs, and post-pandemic shifts in campus life. The college needed a flexible, future-focused master plan that could improve space utilization, improve the student experience, and accommodate long-term growth.

A Future-Focused Master Plan for College Growth and Student Life

Our team responded by updating the college’s 10-year-old plan, building on its previous successes while addressing current demands. Key solutions included standardizing classroom technology, reorganizing program zones, and creating new indoor and outdoor student spaces. We also proposed new facilities to support expanding programs such as health sciences and welding.

The revised master plan provides York Technical College with a phased, actionable roadmap to improve utilization of underused buildings, increase student engagement, and expand capacity for growing programs, all while staying responsive to the college’s evolving mission.

Flexible Strategies Guided by Data and Campus Engagement

The planning process was grounded in an analysis of current and projected needs. Our team conducted a full facilities assessment, demographic and enrollment studies, space utilization and projection analysis, and academic programming review. We analyzed academic and non-academic space use through seat fill rate (SFR) and weekly room hour (WRH) metrics, benchmarking against South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) guidelines.

Just as important as the data were the voices of those who use York Technical College campus daily. We led focus groups and stakeholder visioning sessions across departments, capturing key concerns around accessibility, wayfinding, and building improvements. A student tabling session further emphasized the need for improved classrooms, expanded food options, and more outdoor gathering spaces. This feedback directly shaped our recommendations.