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Client
City of Austin Parks & Rec. Dept. & Dougherty Arts Center
Location
Austin, TX
Services
Master Planning
Collaborators

The masterplanning for the new Dougherty Arts Center (DAC) replacement facility at Butler Shores Park focuses on creating a central hub for artistic expression while honoring the site’s cultural and environmental significance. Guided by the DAC’s mission to support artists at all stages of their careers, the center is envisioned as Austin’s cultural living room—a welcoming space where individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can connect through the arts.

The planning effort validated Butler Shores Park as the ideal location, building on the 1984 Town Lake Comprehensive Plan’s vision of the area as a cultural park. A collaborative process with the City of Austin, Studio8, and Overland Partners emphasized community engagement to shape the facility’s program and site layout.

The team explored various layout options for the building’s program, thoughtfully navigating the site’s existing conditions.

The selected design overcomes site challenges, such as significant underground utilities and heritage tree preservation, while maximizing green space and integrating Austin’s hike-and-bike network to support multimodal transportation options, including rideshare zones, scooter parking, and improved connectivity to Zilker Park.

The masterplan embodies the goals of Imagine Austin and the Town Lake Comprehensive Plan, positioning the Dougherty Arts Center as a landmark for cultural engagement and a lasting legacy for Austin’s creative community.

Learn more about the design here.

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