ANDREW BELLATTI GREEN

Studio: Austin|Madrid

Instructor: Juan Miró

Semester: Spring 2013

*co-designed with Kevin Sullivan

The University of Texas has an incredible opportunity in the Brackenridge Tract. With more than 350 acres only two miles from campus and downtown, the potential and pressure for development must be met in a manner that will benefit the residents, the University, and the city at-large while minimizing negative environmental effects. Primary to the design of this master plan is an understanding of the impact open space has on physical activity, vitality, and overall quality of life. By concentrating density in two nodes, this master plan provides the same amount of developable square footage as Cooper, Robertson & Partners’ 2009 master plan proposal, but does so on less than half of their proposed acreage. This strategy not only meets the financial and housing needs of the University, but also allows us to provide 145 acres of public park, preserve 9 holes of the historic Lyons Municipal Golf Course, and maintain 60 acres of waterfront real-estate for ongoing research at the Brackenridge Field Laboratory. Increasing population density is environmentally responsible. When combined with direct access to public transit, programmed parkland, and waterfront activities, dense living also promotes a healthy individual and community lifestyle.

OPEN SPACE STRATEGY

Within the definition of open space, a wide variety of program requirements are met by an organizational method of concentric rings. The secure, controlled environment for research at the B.F.L is wrapped by the semi-public municipal golf course. On the edges -- and most accessible to the surrounding neighborhoods -- is a fully public park.  The park is specifically programmed with playgrounds, lawn games, athletic fields/courts, and an extensive network of trails that connect to the Hike and Bike Trail of Lady Bird Lake.

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Development has been concentrated in two nodes; the Deep Eddy District to the southeast and the Dam District to the northwest. By increasing population density in these areas, the extension of public transit becomes more efficient and economically viable. Special care has been taken to consider the built edge adjacent to existing neighborhoods along Enfield Road and Exposition Boulevard. Six distinct building typologies are organized to ensure relevance to the scale of existing conditions, anticipate growth based on city patterns and plans, maximize the amount of park/waterfront real estate, encourage interaction with the downtown area, and enhance the fabric of Austin.