University of Texas at Austin, Admissions Welcome Center

Austin, Texas

Firm

McKinney York Architects

Client

University of Texas at Austin

Area

8,875 sq.ft.

Completion Date

10/2018

Leonid Furmansky

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Developing involved alumni takes more than providing a great education; it requires creating a memorable college experience. That process begins the moment prospective students step on campus. The University of Texas Welcome Center is the “front door” for prospective students, designed to entertain, educate, and orient visitors while sharing the energy, spirit, and possibilities of the university.

Situated beneath the brutalist main campus library, the center revolves around a central theater for introductory videos to tour groups. Sculptural stacked oak boards form the auditorium’s shell; inside, illuminated walls are layered in bronze mesh curtains to create a burnt-orange glow. Educational displays are presented in a gallery setting—a timeline of the university’s history, information about its colleges and schools, and videos highlighting the dynamism of student life.