Web | Archiroots

Our Performing Arts Center for Austin’s public schools is featured on Archiroots, an online publication focused on sustainable and green design. The Performing Arts Center serves more than 84,000 K-12 students at 129 schools. Instead of a sprawling suburban site, the PAC is located on the grounds of a former airport that is being transformed into a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented community in the heart of Austin.

A landscaped plaza and amphitheater are open to the public, while a ribbon-like aluminum and steel trellis wraps around two sides of the building, converging at a dramatic, cantilevered porch that defines the main entrance. Glass and translucent panels bring in light during the day, and create the effect of a glowing lantern during evening performances.

The project has received LEED Gold certification, and earned a 5-star rating from Austin Energy Green Building. A 60 kW rooftop solar array will offset up to 8% of the building’s annual energy needs, while daylit offices and public spaces reduce energy use. When compared to a baseline case study, the PAC achieves the following: 23% less overall energy use; 100% less irrigation potable water use (via graywater recycling); and 33% less indoor potable water use. 44% of building materials were sourced within 500 miles, and the building contains 33% recycled content.