Story at a glance:
- Site work has begun on the Springdale Green office project, estimated to be completed in Q4 2023 by Gensler and dwg.
- The 30-acre campus will have two office buildings with extensive outdoor amenities as well as a fitness and wellness center.
- All of Springdale Green’s areas are planned to be smart, technologically connected, and scalable.
A former brownfield in Austin, Texas is being transformed into an office campus that doubles as an incredible nature escape complete with more than 20 acres of restored ecological landscape.
“We wanted to create something unexpected in the architecture of Springdale Green. Combining raw, exposed concrete and local terra-cotta masonry results in a fluidity that is both familiar and futuristic,” said George Blume, design director and project leader at Gensler, in a press release.
Blume said setting the office buildings against the lush backdrop of a newly restored landscape will make for an eco paradise like none other in the city.
Built from the ground up, the 30-acre campus is designed to be highly immersive and engaging—part backyard, part conference room, part social lounge.
More than 19 acres, which makes up a little over two-thirds of the site, is preserved and restored with native meadows, woodland, and plantings and an urban creek. When all is said and done, you’ll also find a bird blind and bee meadow pavilion.
Rendering courtesy of Gensler and dwg
Nestled amongst a restored preserve, the project will transform a former brownfield into a verdant oasis, returning 30 acres of green space to the community. Rendering courtesy of Gensler and dwg
A 600,000-gallon underground cistern will capture and store rainwater, as well as harvesting air conditioning condensate, which will be used to irrigate the landscape.
The entire site’s stormwater will be treated and cleaned using rain gardens and a bioretention basin that will help prevent downstream flooding.
The Springdale Green design will also include a jogging loop, nature trails, and areas for running and yoga. Rendering courtesy of Gensler and dwg
The extensive removal of invasive species and environmental restoration plan enhances and preserves this sensitive landscape.
“Springdale Green represents a paradigm shift—healing and restoring a neglected site into a native ecological landscape that is innovative and natural,” said Daniel Woodroffe, president and founder of dwg, in a press release. “All of these efforts create a highly performative and functional environment that achieves the highest standards of sustainable design.”
Rendering courtesy of Gensler and dwg
Key amenities at the forthcoming Springdale Green include flex conference space with a dedicated patio and additional outdoor areas. Rendering courtesy of Gensler and dwg
When complete in the next few years, Springdale Green will set a new standard for sustainability and will be Austin’s first Sustainable SITES office campus landscape. The project is targeting LEED Gold and Austin Energy Green Building 3-Star. The project will include an onsite parking garage with EV charging stations and bike storage.
Rendering courtesy of Gensler and dwg
