LMN and Page's vertically-oriented Austin Convention Center underway

Ahead of the SXSW festival, construction is underway at the Austin Convention Centre designed by Seattle-based LMN Architects and local studio Page after getting a go-ahead from local judge.

The previous, six-block-large convention centre was opened in 1992 and demolished last year to make room for the new LMN Architects (LMN) and Page design, which is made of two primary volumes and an open courtyard.

While the new building is currently under construction, a citizen-initiated petition sought to halt the project earlier this year but was recently overruled by a judge.

The petition questioned the need for a new convention centre, instead pushing for the large downtown site to be "a lot of other things than just a convention center", according to local outlet KUT News.

The convention centre is known as the main gathering hub for tech and music festival SXSW, which will be held in various venues throughout the city this year.

The design is "vertically-oriented" according to the studio, and aims to "partially restore the city grid" with multi-tiered outdoor event spaces at the core.

"This expansion will provide more space, more events, and more ways for the community to connect, infused with everything that makes Austin so special and unique," said LMN Principal Leonardo da Costa.

"The vertical convention center will open the city grid, enhance pedestrian connections, and take advantage of Austin's indoor-outdoor culture."

Renderings show two main volumes hugging a multi-level courtyard populated with elevated pedestrian bridges and gardens.

Broad, open walkways surround the buildings, which are clad in curtain walls, stone and metallic sheets.

The team is also aiming to create "the world's first zero-carbon convention center" using salvaged materials, mass timber roof structures, and low-carbon concrete and steel for construction.

The building will also contain an all-electric kitchen and HVAC system powered by off-site renewable energy, according to the team.

The project is set to complete in 2029.

Other convention centres in progress across the US include a massive one by Populous in Los Angeles.

The images are courtesy of LMN-Page Joint Venture 

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