The University of Texas at Austin expanded its sports complex to include a new state of the art arena for the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams. The facility will also serve as a concert and event venue to add to Austin’s already cemented reputation as a live music destination.

The primary formal gesture is a dramatic roof line that begins as an interior sloping form at the upper level concourse and curves into a horizontal ceiling that transitions to the exterior soffit. At its most extreme the roof maintains cantilevers upwards of 60 feet. The concourse is enclosed 360° by a 20 foot high curtain wall system, offering panoramic views of the surrounding context. At the west end of the concourse the glazing opens to an exterior terrace that overlooks the university and the downtown skyline.

Below, the west entrance of the facility extends to a public plaza that will serve to connect the arena with the south expansion of DKR football stadium. This new outdoor space will showcase the layered exterior of the west facade, comprised of transparent glazing, metal panel skin, and a system of vertical sunshades.