COAA-TX 2026 Winter Owners Only Forum Recap

Authored by Cesar Villagran, University of Houston

I had the opportunity to join construction owners from across Texas in Houston for the 2026 COAA TX Owners Forum at the UTHealth Cooley Center, a day grounded in collaboration, innovation, and shared learning across some of the most complex campus environments in our state.

We opened with a deep look into the University of Texas Research Park Expansion and the level of coordination required to deliver multiple large scale projects inside an active research and healthcare setting. Hearing how intentional planning, strong stakeholder alignment, and disciplined project controls can protect ongoing operations while still enabling long term institutional growth was a powerful reminder of the responsibility owners carry.

David Harrt with MD Anderson shared how valuable it is to go through a Risk Management exercise before your start a complex project and he also shared how he uses a Risk Matrix, I reached out for a sample of it. This alone made the event priceless.

The conversation then shifted toward the future of science education and how evolving research, interdisciplinary learning, and rapidly advancing technologies are reshaping the way we design facilities. What stood out most was the emphasis on flexibility, adaptability, and creating environments that truly support discovery and collaboration for the next generation.

Throughout the day, owners openly exchanged perspectives on procurement, delivery methods, and the real world challenges of managing complex capital programs in mission critical spaces. These were not just technical discussions. They were conversations about leadership, trust, and how we continue improving the quality of the built environment across Texas.

The intentional way that the COAA leadership facilitated  the round table break out session is something that I will take with me to my next team building session.  It really was a game changer for me.

We closed with a walking tour of collaborative UTHealth and MD Anderson projects, seeing firsthand how integrated planning, thoughtful design, and precise construction coordination come together to support research, education, and patient care at the highest level.

To everyone who gathered in Houston, thank you.
Thank you for the conversations in the rooms, the questions along the walk, and the shared commitment to building environments where people, projects, and purpose can thrive together.

Moments like this remind me that the future of construction is not only technical. It is relational.
And this community is helping lead that future.

I am already looking forward to the next COAA TX gathering.
The conversation is just getting started.