University Offices Renovation
The University of Texas at Austin
After the renovation of the main public lobby, our client wished to similarly modernize and upgrade the staff offices and support spaces. McKinney York reorganized the basement level to include a public reception and seating area, accessible restrooms, and a conference room. A coherent aesthetic between the public areas was essential: stained wood, dark granite, and upholstered paneling create an inviting atmosphere that integrates seamlessly with the nearby main entrance. Decorative lighting is used throughout public zones to ‘lift' the low basement ceilings and act as a way-finding device for corridor navigation. The conference room satisfied our client's dual desire for high-end design and high-end technology through rich materials, thoughtful furniture selection, programmable lighting, and an integrated presentation system including a wired conference table, directly linked to a 60-inch wall-mounted LCD.Sustainable initiatives include: renovation of an existing space instead of building new to minimize demolition waste; planning overall layout of private offices to allow for the most natural light in those places most often occupied; provision for recycling locations throughout the space; products containing post-consumer, post-industrial, and/or recycled content such as carpet to reduce usage of natural resources; regional materials to reduce omissions associated with transportation; low-VOC emitting materials (paint, carpet, adhesives) to improve indoor air quality; the installation of high-light reflectance ceiling panels to cut down on energy use from light fixtures; reduced energy and water consumption through use of energy-efficient fluorescent light fixtures, energy-star high-efficiency appliances, and water-efficient restroom plumbing fixtures; installation of additional temperature controls and bi-level ambient lighting to enhance individual comfort and reduce energy usage; and the re-use of furniture in almost all of the offices including re-upholstered conference room side chairs.