ACC Highland Campus Parks

Exemplifying the potential of adaptive reuse, Austin Community College's Highland Campus has transformed the former Highland Mall and surrounding expanse of parking lots into an innovative learning center and vibrant mixed-use development.

Strategically located at each end of a pedestrian green spine running through the center of the campus, Fontaine Plaza and St. John Encampment Commons transform over 3.5 acres of former roads and parking lots into two signature parks that welcome students, visitors, and residents into comfortable, pedestrian-oriented campus and mixed-use development. A model for sustainable development, the design preserves existing heritage trees, highlights native planting, and uses green infrastructure strategies to manage stormwater.

On a site with a long and vibrant history of bringing local communities together, these parks function as front-yard, classroom, event space, and narrators of history — past, present and future.

At St. John Encampment Commons, a graceful event pavilion acts as both a daily informal gathering space as well as a special event and performance space. In honor of the ACC Riverbat mascot, installations in both spaces of light poles in the school's striking purple color abstract the movement of bats in flight. Part branding, part wayfinding, part public art, the dynamic installations act as iconic gateways into the new campus day and night.

Awards:
Texas ASLA Honor Award, ULI Impact Award — Best Public Space, AIA Austin Award of Excellence (Pavilion)

^{photos by dwg., Casey Dunn, and Agenda Architecture}