The skybridge at the Austin Convention Center

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According to Project Manager Mike Holloran, Southwest Corp., the skybridge provides a needed connection from the original facility’s southside third floor to the fourth floor exhibit halls in the expansion.   

“The skybridge is artfully fitted into the original two-story north lobby, which is enhanced by one of Austin’s Art in Public Places installations,” he said. 

“In addition, the skybridge honors the original construction vocabulary by building on the facility’s material palette of stainless steel and glass railings, carpet and granite while inserting a boldly angled walkway. 

“The walkway's shape was intended to create a dynamic connection while maintaining a respectful distance from the existing artwork installation on the east wall.  The new skybridge provides ample room for convention and seminar attendees to pass through the area as well as allow informal meetings to occur in the wider spaces.”

Halloran added that construction was challenging as the schedule required Southwest Corp. to work around scheduled conventions and meetings, maintaining a safe and clean environment for attendees and personnel.

“Materials were carefully specified and designed to accommodate the working space,” he said.  “Notably, the new steel structure for the bridge was designed in segments that could be fitted into the column reveals and bolted together in lieu of welding in the occupied building.  All materials met LEED requirements, assisting the Austin Convention Center in achieving a LEED-EB rating.”

Principal-in-Charge Betty Trent, Architecture + Plus, says the skybridge also provides a secondary eye-level viewing point for the art.

“The tight budget required minimal disruption of the existing lobby walls and ceilings, leaving an open walkway that allows the existing mechanical air flow to be maintained and natural light to flood both the original lobby and the new skybridge,” she said. “A new stair links the skybridge to the existing escalator access to the fourth floor.  A new meeting room was also created within the adjacent office space.”

Trent says the new meeting room can be opened to the main concourse by a vertically opening 20-ft wide partition wall.  The new opening allows the Austin Convention Center to schedule flexible events in the enlarged space, she said.

Incorporated in 1991, Southwest Corp. is headquartered in Austin, TX. The firm provides construction and construction-related services.  The firm has worked on commercial, convention centers, education, auto, government, healthcare, hospitality, retail, sports and leisure, technology and transportation projects.  –ab

©2011 Construction News, Ltd.