Project Activity Posts
Lance Armstrong Foundation Completed
After 10 years of leasing space in a corporate office building, the Lance Armstrong Foundation decided it was time to invest in the city's core by establishing a permanent home in East Austin, which is undergoing revitalization. The Foundation purchased the 30,000-square-foot Gulf Coast Paper Co. warehouse at 2201 E. Sixth Street to give LAF room to grow and expand programs.
The renovated facility will initially provide office space, meeting rooms, dining facilities, an in-house gymnasium, open-air courtyard, and parking for the staff of 62. Future plans may call for adding a community-based cancer-support program to provide direct services to uninsured and underinsured East Austin residents.
A green building project, 90% of the materials from the demolition of the dilapidated warehouse will be recycled and used in the new design. The project is LEED registered, with a goal of Gold certification.
http://usgbc-centraltexas.org/Docs/LEED_Profiles/LAF_LEEDProfile.pdf
Photos courtesy of: Hester + Hardway Photography
Government Canyon Visitor Center Completed
The Visitor Center floats in a field of native grasses and restored oaks at the mouth of the canyon, forming a gateway to the 8,600-acre Government Canyon State Natural Area. The canyon's rich ranching history is expressed in the exposed pipe structure.
The building respects the fragile ecosystem of the site, which lies in the recharge area for San Antonio's main water source-the Edwards Aquifer. It was designed for water conservation, collecting rainwater, minimizing run-off and contaminants, and reducing the use of ground water. In this way, the building becomes its own educational exhibit that demonstrates sustainable water use practices to visitors.
The program for the Natural Area Headquarters included an exhibit hall, Texas State Park store, classrooms, offices, outdoor exhibit pavilion, amphitheatre, interpretive trails and two ranger residences.
For more information regarding AIA COTE Award: http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=796
Photos courtesy of Chris Cooper
