Construction shapes how people live, learn, and connect. The most meaningful projects respond directly to the needs of the communities around them. In Aurora, Colorado, Hausmann’s work reflects that responsibility. From workforce education at the Community College of Aurora to critical civic services like the Aurora Animal Shelter, these projects are designed to strengthen the community today while preparing it for tomorrow.
The Community of Aurora
Aurora is one of the fastest-growing cities in Colorado and one of the most diverse communities in the state. As the city expands, so does the need for facilities that support education, workforce development, and public services. Meeting those needs requires collaboration between public agencies, educators, and builders who understand how infrastructure shapes opportunity. Hausmann’s work in Aurora reflects that approach, supporting both the city’s economic future and its commitment to community services. Two recent projects illustrate that impact.
Community College of Aurora, Center for Applied Sciences & Technology
The Center for Applied Sciences & Technology (CAST) expands the Community College of Aurora’s ability to prepare students for careers in high-demand technical fields. The 55,000-square-foot facility provides hands-on training environments designed to support workforce entry or transfer to four-year institutions. Hausmann was awarded the project as a $14.5 million design-build facility, but the vision quickly grew. The College anticipated securing additional public funding to expand the project into a $35 million facility, and design advanced accordingly. As funding continued to evolve and market pressures intensified, the estimate ultimately climbed to $44 million—well beyond secured dollars. Over an 18-month preconstruction effort, Hausmann worked closely with the College and design team to realign the project with available funding while protecting the building’s program and sustainability goals. Key outcomes included:
- Reducing the estimate from $44 million to $37 million through disciplined system-by-system cost evaluation
- Preserving the building’s LEED Silver certification goals
- Recombining a planned two-phase construction approach into a single phase, eliminating redundant mobilizations and reducing disruption to the active campus
In the end, the project doubled in both scope and budget, yet remained deliverable within the original schedule because preconstruction was structured around the College’s goals from the outset.
Aurora Animal Shelter
Aurora’s rapid population growth has also increased demand for public services, including animal care and protection. The City of Aurora is addressing that need with a new Aurora Animal Shelter, designed to expand capacity, improve animal welfare, and better serve residents. Hausmann is building the new facility, which will be located on a five-acre portion of a 19-acre city-owned site. The project includes a 40,000 square foot shelter facility, site development supporting animal care operations and public access, and modernized spaces for animal housing, veterinary care, and adoption services. The project is designed by Animal Arts, a nationally recognized architect specializing in animal care facilities. Once complete, the new shelter will provide Aurora with a modern facility designed to improve animal welfare, support staff operations, and make adoption easier for the community.
These projects reflect Hausmann’s commitment to building facilities that strengthen communities and create opportunities for the people who live there.
