News

Groundbreaking, Barton Springs Bathhouse Rehabilitation

The goal of this project is to rehabilitate the historic Bathhouse to provide a high-quality facility for Barton Springs visitors for the next 75 years while maintaining the historic integrity and meeting program needs and current building code requirements. The project includes improvements to the plumbing, electrical, climate control system, roof, and structure plus new entrances and exits at the rotunda and the west side of the building. Improvements will be made to the parking lot adjacent to the Bathhouse to reduce impervious paving, to update accessible parking, and to provide accessible circulation on site. The Sheffield Education Center and Splash! exhibit will be redesigned with an emphasis on protecting the Barton Springs watershed and the aquifer, as well as preserving salamander habitat. The Bathhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Groundbreaking, February 22nd, 2024.

https://austin.urbanize.city/post/barton-springs-bathhouse-renovation-start

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2024/02/city-breaks-ground-on-the-barton-springs-bathhouse/

Alfred Godfrey speaks to Association of Women in Energy

Alfred Godfrey presented Seaholm Power Plant, A History Still Being Written at the 2024 conference of the Association of Women in Energy. The conference theme: Power Matters: Impacts of Changes in Generation.

The Association of Women in Energy is an organization solely dedicated to helping women in the energy industry. AWE provides opportunities for women to meet other energy industry professionals and to enhance their knowledge of issues facing the industry.

Mr. Godfrey’s presentation traces the history of electrical power generation in Austin, and captures the construction and eventual decommissioning of the Seaholm Power Plant. In addition to a history of the facility as a power plant, the question of what-comes-next is also discussed, with special attention to the Seaholm Redevelopment Project of 2012 and the in-progress Seaholm Waterfront Project.

Presentation date, February 20, 2024. Co-presenters: Ekta Khuller and Kelly Henson, both architects and both with STG Design.

Laurie Limbacher, reappointed to The Texas Historical Commission

The THC is composed of 15 citizen members appointed by the governor to staggered six-year terms. The agency employs about 300 people who work in various fields, including archeology, architecture, history, economic development, heritage tourism, public administration, and urban planning.

The Texas Legislature established the THC in 1953 as the Texas State Historical Survey Committee, with the task to identify important historic sites across the state. The Texas Legislature changed the agency’s name to the Texas Historical Commission in 1973. Along with the name change came more protective powers, an expanded leadership role, and broader educational responsibilities.

Ms. Limbacher is chair of the Architecture Committee, and a member of the Governance Committee.

Alfred Godfrey, session speaker at the 2023 AIA Austin Design Excellence Conference.

ARROYO SECO PARK—a case study in a non-traditional  approach to placemaking

The session recalled the 30-years-ago work to develop a linear park in a modest North Austin neighborhood. The work involved an architect working in a non-traditional, community-based effort that harnessed the work of public entities, non-profits and the community itself. The result is a tree-lined linear park that serves to define the center of the community with a cherished recreation amenity. By tracing the project from 30 years ago to its successful present, session participants saw a case study in how a non-traditional approach can yield impressive public dividends.

International Conference on Transportation & Development

Alfred Godfrey and Adam Koransky, PE presented to the 2023 International Conference on Transportation & Development on the topic of the Boardwalk on Lady Bird Lake. They touched on the history of the lake and the development of the trail system, as well as the political context that led to the Boardwalk itself.  The centerpiece of the talk was the Boardwalk design and the project’s impact on transportation and recreation in the heart of Austin.

Hosted by the Transportation and Development Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and in partnership with TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation), .

Alfred Godfrey, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, was lead designer for the Boardwalk.

Adam Koransky, PE, with Jacobs Engineering, was lead civil engineer.

Award of Excellence in Historic Architecture

2022 Texas Historical Commission Award of Excellence in Historic Architecture

Located in the heart of downtown Austin, the once vacant former Historic Austin Federal Courthouse reemerged as the new Travis County Probate Courts. It is distinguished for its Public Works Administration Moderne architectural style, projecting a streamlined monumentality, characteristic of the Great Depression era works. As a significant achievement, the project successfully preserved the former federal courthouse, saving it from dereliction by finding a new purpose, while preserving its use as a court. This was accomplished by reprogramming and adapting the building to fit the needs of a county probate court. Listed on the National Register of Historic places, the building has undergone a $27.6M restoration, renovation, and rehabilitation to be enjoyed by generations to come. Upcycled as a high performing building, the historic courthouse successfully coexists with modern conveniences and technological upgrades. The project is targeting LEED Gold Certification.

 

Alfred Godfrey Speaks at Parks Study Tour

On November 4th and 5th, Alfred Godfrey spoke to the City Parks Alliance Parks Study Tour in Austin, Texas.

The tour purpose is for participants to examine a parks and recreation system in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country.

Through a carefully-curated itinerary in partnership with Austin Parks & Recreation and The Trail Conservancy, participants are investigating how Austin leverages resources and partnerships to meet its growing demand for access, equity, programming, and connectivity. With its 300+ parks, 225+ miles of trails, and 67 community gardens, Austin provides high-quality parks and programs to all of its residents despite such explosive growth.

Mr. Godfrey’s two sessions focused on the recently-reclaimed Holly Street Power Plant, where a decommissioned power plant site is being transformed into a 9-acre riverfront park. And the Seaholm Waterfront, whose centerpiece is the Seaholm Intake Building, which is being repurposed for park use.

City Parks Alliance is the only independent, nationwide membership organization solely dedicated to urban parks.

Dove Springs Recreation Center Renaming and Opening Ceremony

After a long delay due to COVID, it’s now official.  It is now named the George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center. The ceremony was Saturday, July 30th. The mayor spoke, representative Lloyd Doggett spoke, and most importantly, George Morales spoke.

The renaming is an acknowledgement of George’s unique position of respect and admiration within the community, and reflects his decades of work and advocacy on behalf of the people of Dove Springs. Along with 4 brothers and three sisters, he was raised in Dove Springs, and he continues to reside there. He is also Travis County Constable for Precinct 4.

While secondary to the importance of the renaming, Limbacher & Godfrey’s addition and rehabilitation work was the occasion for the opening part of the ceremony.

Alfred Godfrey, LEED AP BD+C

The LEED AP BD+C designation is an advanced credential for LEED experts knowledgeable about the LEED for Building Design and Construction rating system and certification process. Alfred Godfrey has earned the LEED AP BD+C credential.

LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world, and is available for virtually all building and interior space types. LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. It was developed by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

LEED milestones in 2021:

  • Nearly 24 billion square feet LEED registered and certified.
  • 110,000 projects participating in LEED.
  • More than 610 million square feet of LEED certified residential space.

 

 

Preservation Merit Award for the Travis County Probate Courthouse

Established in 1960, Preservation Austin’s annual Preservation Merit Awards program honors visionary approaches to preserving Austin’s unique architectural, cultural, and environmental heritage.

This depression-era Moderne architecture courthouse building has served as both a practical and visual Federal presence among nearby municipal and private historic buildings in downtown Austin since it was completed in 1936.
It remains a handsome 4-story limestone-clad presence with an exterior defined by fluted, reed-like pilasters, decorative metal grilles and a carved stone parapet. Its interior has both Art Deco and Art Moderne finishes including marble-clad lobbies and corridors.
On December 29, 2016, Travis County received deed to the building from the U.S. Government with a covenant that stipulates that the building’s historic integrity be preserved. The County intends to use it for its Probate Court, and is committed to the preservation of the building. To that end, it awarded the restoration assignment to a multi-disciplinary team that includes Limbacher & Godfrey in a leadership role. LGA lead during the programming and the schematic design phases, and continued in a senior advisory capacity through to project completion. The project required coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service. The Historic Austin Federal Courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places.

In collaboration with prime architect, Lord Aeck Sargent Architects.

https://www.preservationaustin.org/news/2020/preservation-merit-award-winners

https://www.austin360.com/story/entertainment/arts/2020/12/17/austin-preservation-merit-awards-winners-historic-buildings/3863789001/

Design Talks

Alfred Godfrey spoke at the fifth and final AIA Austin Design Talks event of 2021, sharing the firm’s Dove Springs Recreation Center project and discussing the role and importance of recreation centers to their communities. Other speakers were Heather McKinney, FAIA of McKinney York Architects and Dr. Liana Kallivoka, Assistant Director of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. About 50 architects were in attendance.

 

Laurie Limbacher, Keynote Speaker, The Daughters of the Republic of Texas

Her talk, The Legacy of the CCC in Texas State Parks, traced the history of parks in Texas and the DRT’s role as an early champion for historic preservation in public parks. It covered the history of the CCC nationally, its importance for Texas and its enduring influence on parks development today.

The event was an annual workshop attended by 80 DRT members from 21 Texas counties.