Location: Austin, TX
Status: Permitting
Size: 2,700 SF
Contractor: Franklin Alan
Structural: Scott Williamson
MEP: Arete Engineering, Michael Lloyd
A disused garage building sat vacant for a number of years before we were asked to give it a second life as creative office space. The existing masonry building once had several punched windows, most of which had been filled in over time. We utilized the existing lintels but reconsidered the windows themselves, changing their sizes and shapes to create a more dynamic, playful exterior. This, along with a couple of new skylights, creates a light-filled and ever-changing interior space for creative work.
In addition, a prominent corner of the building had been structurally damaged, so we took it as an opportunity to re-build the walls higher, increasing the visibility of the project. And lastly, the west facade of the building is fully covered with a ¡Si Se Puede! mural that is revered by the neighborhood - not only is it maintained, it was inspiration for expanding a graphic identity to the exterior of the building. We hope that these subtle manipulations breathe new life into a building that has long been a part of the East Austin fabric.