Lois Mann Family Life Center

Riverbend Church, Austin, Texas

McKinney York planned this three-story, 30,000 square foot structure for Riverbend Church to facilitate a variety of recreational activities as well as to accommodate youth worship services, concerts, and other non-traditional gatherings. The design features a competition gym with elevated running track, aerobics room, multi-purpose game rooms, a lounge and concession area, shower and locker rooms, classrooms, and support areas. The auditorium, outfitted with theatrical sound and lighting systems, required special attention to acoustical development as well as provisions to control daylight during multimedia presentations. The exterior is clad primarily in metal, but uses both rough and cut limestone veneer at the building's main entrance plaza. McKinney York carefully surveyed the existing sloping site in order to take advantage of its natural amenities such as large, shade-providing live oaks.