Engineering Education and Research Center, University of Texas, Austin

Austin, Texas
Architect: Jacobs Engineering / Ennead Architects
Contractor: Hensel Phelps Construction Co.

Project Overview:

Construction on the $310 million center began in 2015, was completed in August 2017, and opened in September 2017. 9 stories tall and containing 433,000 square feet of open and flexible space, the center serves as a central location for all engineering student services. The center is organized into two, limestone and glass towers connected by an enclosed, three-story atrium. The atrium is covered by a perforated sunshade canopy that spans the area between the towers, creating a light filled, vibrant space in the heart of the building.

LEED Certification:

  • LEED Silver (pending)
Key Contribution by ELEMENT:
  • Fabrication and Supply of 240 perforated ceiling panels for the atrium, open area varied between 10% to 70% from panel to panel with all panels mounted into a perimeter frame.
ELEMENT Services:
  • Preliminary materials selection, manufacturing, scheduling and budget estimation
  • Fabrication of Mockups
  • Engineering and Design
  • Scheduling and Planning
  • Fabrication
  • Delivery

Awards:

    •  Illumination Award of Merit, 2019, Illuminating Engineering Society
    • Best Project – Higher Education/Research, 2018, ENR Texas & Louisiana
    • American Architecture Award, 2018, The Chicago Athenaeum
    • Excellence in Structural Engineering Award in the New Buildings over $100M Category, 2018, National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA)
    • Outstanding Project in the New Buildings over $100M Category, 2018, National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA)
    Select Publications:
    • “Inside UT’s New 430,000-Square-Foot Engineering Education and Research Center”, Nov/Dec 2017, Alcalde
    • “Cockrell School of Engineering – Education Research Center (EERC) / Ennead Architects”, 20 October 2017, ArchDaily
    • “Ennead Architects’ Engineering Education and Research Center Opens At The University Of Texas”, 11 October 2017, Blouin Artinfo
    • “UT celebrates grand opening of Engineering Education and Research Center”, 29 September 2017, The Daily Texan
    • “UT’s Cockrell School unveils $310M research and education hub of the future”, 28 September 2017, Austin Business Journal
    • “Industrial meets very cool: UT’s $313.7M engineering building debuts.”, 26 September 2017, myStatesman
    • “Take a Look Inside UT’s New 430,000-Square-Foot Engineering Education and Research Center”, 25 September 2017, Texas Exes
    • “Ennead Architects Reveals Designs for Engineering Center at University of Texas at Austin.” 15 July 2016, ArchDaily