Seaholm

Inspired by Austin’s identity as a host city of cultural events and festivals, we propose the transformation of the Seaholm intake building into a community driven hub open to appropriation from all citizens without commitment to a singular program.

Our proposal challenges the exchange between the park and the building in order to maximize the potential of both. Our strategy is to preserve the historical form of the intake building and allow its utilitarian design to drive new functions. These functions will find areas of expansion from the building on the landscape through radical interventions on its malleable mass of the latter.

Our primary operation suggests the removal of the landfill at the backside of the building and the realignment of the bike trail on the water edge, liberating and multiplying this way the northern façade of the building towards Cesar Chavez street, while using the iconic south façade as an active backdrop for the activities of the Trail. With that move the building becomes accessible from both sides, a vibrant node that strategically connects park and water. The sloped landscape will become a receiving pocket for all the interior activities, while a floating platform placed right in front of the bike trail on the lake side, extends the building into the water allowing a variety of positions that serve different setups among which the engagement of the south bank.An unlimited number of events can be generated in, on and around the Seaholm Intake Building transforming it to a 24/7 vibrant hub. All architectural interventions remain hidden allowing the users to be the protagonists in iconic events.