The University of Texas at Austin is tackling a challenge familiar to many institutions: how to modernize historic buildings while preserving their character. At the Higher Ed Facilities Forum, UT’s Brent Stringfellow, AVP of Campus Operations, and Dan Cook, Executive Director of Campus Construction shared insights from three significant restoration projects, offering valuable lessons for universities pursuing similar initiatives:
- Hogg Memorial Auditorium (“The Good”): This$27 million renovation succeeded by using multiple Guaranteed Maximum Prices to manage costs and procure long lead-time items early. They also found an innovative cleaning solution, D2, which proved more effective than traditional methods.
- Battle Hall ("The Bad"): While the exterior restoration won awards, the interior renovation hit unexpected snags. Issues with lead paint, asbestos, and outdated electrical systems led to project shutdowns and budget overruns. This experience highlighted the importance of thorough preliminary investigations in historic buildings.
- The Main Tower ("The Aspirational"): This ongoing project aims to revitalize not just the iconic 1937 tower but the entire central campus area. The challenge? Transforming a 350,000-square-foot building, originally designed as a library with book stacks, into a modern, multi-use facility.
UT Austin's approach stands out for its comprehensive vision, considering the entire campus ecosystem rather than treating each building as an isolated project. The university is leveraging partnerships with firms experienced in historic renovations and applying lessons from past projects, emphasizing early contractor involvement and flexible procurement strategies.
This journey demonstrates that universities can successfully bridge the gap between preserving historic character and meeting modern needs through careful planning and learning from both successes and setbacks.
Watch the full talk below👇
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