Skip to content
Contact Latest News

Remembering Al York, FAIA, RID

It is with deep sadness that McKinney York Architects shares the news of the passing of our Principal, Al York, FAIA, RID. Over the course of three decades, Al’s leadership has had a profound impact on the growth and identity of McKinney York Architects. His simple, thought-provoking approach to architecture exposes the underlying grace of the ordinary, revealing beauty within familiar situations. As a distinguished leader and advocate in the design community, Al was a celebrated architect, cherished friend, and beloved mentor.

Al’s loss is felt profoundly by the countless lives he has touched. He spent his career pushing others forward, offering calm wisdom and unwavering generosity to all. Al leaves behind a lasting legacy of design that reflects his belief in architecture’s power to engage the mind, touch the heart, and elevate the human experience. He will be sincerely missed.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rawson Saunders School Al York Fund, or the McKinney York Architects Scholarship at The University of Texas at Austin.

Photo: Al seated in the iconic breezeway of one of his recently completed works, Inks Lake State Park Headquarters Building for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

___________________________________________________

Hogg Memorial Auditorium wins 2025 American Architecture Awards for Restoration/Renovation!

McKinney York Architects is honored to be recognized by the Austin Business Journal as one of Austin’s Top 30 Fastest-Growing Companies.

Hogg Memorial Auditorium wins Preservation Texas 2025 Honor Award for Historic Rehabilitation!

 

McKinney York Architects is honored to be included in the Austin Business Journal’s list of the Women-Owned Businesses.

McKinney York Architects and Landmarks celebrate the groundbreaking of the College of Education Entry Renovation & Art Installation!

McKinney York Architects joins SOM-led Team to Design New Arrivals and Departures Hall at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Photograph of existing facilities by © Ken Griffith

Photograph of existing facilities by © Ken Griffith

McKinney York Architects is recognized by the Zweig Group as one of the Best Firms to Work For 2025!

 

Austin ISD Sánchez Elementary School featured on America ByDesign!

Writer’s Retreat wins HBA Max Award for Custom Home/Project Design, 2025!

Bookshelf's surrounding the central window of a white room.

Texas Facilities Commission, Groundbreaking for a new Archival and Records Storage Facility

St. Julian of Norwich Parish Hall wins Outstanding Construction Award, Associated General Contractors’, 2024!

We are excited to announce the elevation of Navvab Taylor, AIA, RID, LEED AP BD+C to Associate Principal and Lauren Gamboa to Associate. Navvab exhibits design excellence and employs strong communication and project management skills to build and maintain rewarding client relationships. She is a champion for sustainable design and will serve as the firm’s Sustainability Leader, working collaboratively with clients to develop environmentally responsible solutions and ensuring the firm’s practices align with rigorous standards. Lauren demonstrates skillful management of the marketing department and a remarkable ability to execute with precision, creativity, and efficiency. Her expertise and attention to detail has driven successful campaigns and streamlined the firm’s marketing processes. We value the leadership and knowledge of these team members and are thrilled to spotlight their advancement!

Looking Back at 2024…

AIA Austin WiA Profiles 2024 featuring our Associate Navvab Taylor!

Hogg Memorial Auditorium achieves LEED Platinum Certification!

View along curved rows of seats in an auditorium, facing a series of windows.

AISD Sánchez Elementary School wins TxA Design Award 2024!

straight on view of stairway that also functions as a social gathering space in elementary school, books are displayed on the levels and children and teachers are in the foreground

Comedor wins AIA Austin Design Award of Merit 2024!

People seated at bar and high tables of a nice restaurant.

River Ranch County Park wins a Texas Travel Award  and gets featured in Parks and Recreation Business Magazine! Have you been there yet?

Outdoor pavilion in a field of wildflowers.

 

Back to Top

The University of Texas at Austin Student Activity Center South Courtyard

scroll View Project Description
  • students working and talking with one another at an outdoor seating area.
  • A large outdoor seating area and brick path filled with students.
  • landscaping next to an outdoor deck at a university.
  • Man reading book with sitting on large curb feature.
  • Students working at tables on an outdoor deck.
  • A large tree with a deck built around it.
  • A metal structure under trees with 8 hammocks connected filled with relaxing students.
  • People relaxing in hammocks connected to a metal structure.
  • An outdoor deck working area in front of building.
  • A small water feature Infront of an outdoor seating area.
  • Students working under awnings next to a brick path.
  • A college walking path lit at night.

This project was recognized by AIA Austin in 2021 with the Design Award for Merit.

“If the purpose of what we do is to make spaces that feel like an oasis, this does a perfect job. It took this space that had language for years and turned it into something that felt like you had left the campus and wandered into a gorgeous garden.”

– Lance Hosey, FAIA

Project Details

The south courtyard renovation at UT Austin’s Student Activity Center is a micro-reclamation of both human and ecological habitations. Years of heavy use and minimal maintenance resulted in a neglected space suffering from compacted soils, poor drainage, abandoned water features, tree canopy conflicts, little biodiversity, and a lack of usable spaces. The project analyzed spatial and temporal use patterns to define areas of intensive student activity. Reorganized circulation zones focus pedestrian traffic and frame discrete student areas. These student areas form outdoor rooms that are raised above grade to improve drainage, soil and tree root health. The outdoor rooms are dispersed amongst lush native plantings representing different microclimates, adding new habitat to the campus and heightening the diversity of sensory experiences. The result is a revitalized micro-climate with a new sense of place – one that harmonizes the needs of both students and the environment to form a sustainable whole.

Recognition

  • Austin Home & Design Magazine, Commercial: Landscape Design Award, 2022
  • AIA Austin, Design Award of Merit, 2021
  • Texas ASLA, Merit Award, 2020

Publications

  • The Daily Texan, Student Activity Center gets decked out, Sep 2018

You Are Exiting Our Website

McKinney York Architects is committed to making our website accessible to all individuals with disabilities. Our website may link to or incorporate third-party websites and resources which are not owned or controlled by McKinney York Architects. McKinney York Architects is not responsible for the accessibility of third-party content, and we shall not be liable if the content is inaccessible to individuals with disabilities.

Proceed to External Website Return to MckinneyYork.com