Trinity Episcopal School, a K-6 school, occupies a heavily wooded site in a densely developed, Austin commercial district.  The master plan clusters individual buildings around a well-defined mall and plaza lined by two-story colonnades, allowing much of the beautiful site to remain a nature preserve.  Building B, the first construction under the master plan, initiates the colonnade and anchors the entrance to the mall.  Strong stone piers on one side define the outdoor urban space and create the primary building facades.  A delicate steel frame keeps the arcade space light and airy as well as introducing exposed construction, which is evident from the interior.  A taut, colorfully articulated, stucco skin wraps the volume.  Inside, classrooms are grouped around communal workspaces.

Positioned at the entry to the OSU campus, next to the university’s most historic building, the new Alumni Center provides a welcoming hub for visiting alumni.  While the brick exterior makes the building a good neighbor at the heart of a cohesive, red-brick campus, appropriate massing and scale help create a genuine sense of place.  Broad arcades add a unique and active feature to the campus vocabulary.  Robust brick walls, pierced by a series of large, round openings, create an identifiable signature for the building. Interior spaces express the warm, friendly attitude of the alumni organization, visible in the Reception Hall’s native stone fireplace, oak floor and wood ceiling.  The building provides a range of public spaces to accommodate small groups, regular conferences, and massive crowds.