REDEFINING HEALTHY URBAN ENVIRONMENTS

This design for a new mixed-use building at the corner of 5th & Walsh Streets in west Austin aims to create a new threshold into downtown that models a healthy development approach to the future of Austin. With 4 floors of office over ground-level retail, the 200,000 sf building maximizes porosity across the full city block that it occupies. The layout prioritizes collaborative space that is open to the community as well as tenants, with a series of portals, courtyards, and bridges punctuating the block. The massing and courtyards are also shaped to protect a large heritage oak on the site.

Project completed at Lake Flato Architects

  • Project Name
    5th & Walsh

    Location
    Austin, TX

    Ground
    Urban

    Type
    Mixed-Use

    Size
    200,000 sf

    Services
    Exploration

    Status
    Unbuilt

    Dates
    ?

  • Design Architect
    Lake Flato Architects

The structure is designed as a hybrid, combining mass timber components with more traditional steel and concrete elements. Each material is leveraged to maximize efficiency while telling the story of the site: concrete and steel recall the industrial sites that were historically located throughout this area, while timber balconies and roof overhangs prominently define the building edges, calling attention to wood as a beautiful and healthy building material for the future.

Ashley led this project while at Lake|Flato Architects (Design Architect), managing a team of 4 people through the initial design phases. Developed by Endeavor, this is an example of how large-scale projects can push boundaries despite the complexities and constraints of market-driven development.

The envelope was designed with thorough attention to daylighting studies. Shading devices on the east, south, and west facades further protect the already deep-set windows from overexposure. The overall window-to-wall ratio that is efficient for heating and cooling, with full-height glazing utilized strategically to highlight shared communal spaces.

RENDERINGS BY FROST VISUALIZATIONS

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