Patton Hall Liberal Arts Building

At the University of Texas at Austin, their College of Liberal Arts and its 14,000 students were scattered across the campus. As such, it lacked a cohesive identity as well as a place to gather for interdisciplinary collaboration. A new building was vital to the college's continued success and reputation.

The owner asked that the building be delivered cost-effectively, but without compromising quality. To accomplish this, the design team collaborated across disciplines to optimize the efficiency of all systems, including the structural system. This resulted in a concrete structure that minimized columns and drilled piers, maximized spans, and facilitated long-term program flexibility. It also allowed us to expose the structure in critical, iconic areas such as the open fire stairs. It was completed a semester ahead of schedule and 13 percent below budget.