Project Details

The material and furnishings palette found throughout the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin College of Education was curated to support the varying needs of the spaces while helping shape their identities through complementary colors and patterns. At the main entry of the building and on each floor escalator landing, timeless neutral earth tones in the porcelain tile floors and floating wood ceilings direct views out to the east and west.

Adjacent to the main entry, visitors to the Glickman Student Lounge are offered furniture selections and groupings that cater to a range of activities: café-style tables for solo study to large communal tables for student groups; and a variety of soft-seating types – club chairs, sofas, and L-shaped benches – for introspection or conversation.

At suite entries and reception areas, brighter colors signify spaces dedicated to youth, welcoming students. As a counterpoint, the palette at the Dean’s Office features a custom wood entry with neutral colors combined with university colors. Within the research office suite, the collaboration café acknowledges the importance of a collective workspace where staff can connect when in the office. The seating options accommodate everything from a few minutes of solo focus time to a team meeting over lunch. Huddle rooms located at the periphery of the café feature conference room seating for comfort and utility for hybrid meetings.

Angled shifts in wall planes and glazed partitions of varying transparencies punctuate otherwise monotonous corridors. Entries for the College’s various academic and administrative centers are highlighted with custom College of Education branded graphics. Variations in textile colors and patterns provide visual interest and help distinguish different spaces, while the consistent styling of furniture types ensures a cohesive feel without imparting a sense of sameness.