Hensel Phelps

Hensel Phelps Construction Company, a national construction company with offices across the country, wanted to build a new Southwest District Office in Austin as a hub for managing existing projects, marketing new projects, and developing bids and proposals for new work in this region.

Hansel Phelps also wanted to showcase its vision and expertise to clients who walk through the doors, so the building needed to be informative about their work.

The LEED Silver building, which was completed on time and under budget, achieved all that with careful siting, selective material, and sustainable construction methods.

The rectangular building was designed to maximize natural light, with large, open office windows on the north façade. On the southern side of the building, windows are protected by overhangs and sunscreens. An overhang that shades the main entrance also makes a sophisticated transition into the building. On the interior, the large, open stairwell in the public entry allows natural light to extend down to the first floor. A steel spine stair adds striking detail to the sleek space.

Office and conference spaces inside the Hensel Phelps building are situated next to open spaces, or have large amounts of glass to let light into the interior office spaces and corridors. In the second level, clerestory windows also help illuminate the interior space.

The design earned LEED Silver status through the daylight energy efficiency elements, like window placement and shading, as well as flex space outside the building, the use of recycled and sustainable materials, and efficiencies within the electrical, heating, and cooling systems.