The Austin Apiary and Urban Center reimagines the Eilers Neighborhood Park, responding to the site’s historical, urban, and ecological significance. Situated near Deep Eddy, Texas’ first public swimming pool, the project builds on the area’s legacy as a community gathering space, extending its role into environmental research, education, and public engagement.
The center houses labs for research, observational hives, community gathering spaces, private offices, a café, and an observation tower. This provides a dynamic setting where scientists, students, and visitors interact with urban ecology. The material palette prioritizes sustainability and efficiency, with limestone brick aiding in natural ventilation, reducing the need for air conditioning, while a corrugated metal roof and a simple steel structural frame ensure cost-effective, durable construction.
A defining feature of the design is the observation tower. The tower is composed of a steel structure rising from the limestone brick- standing as both a landmark and an interactive experience. Wrapped in perforated mesh, the tower allows visibility from within and below, turning the act of ascending into a processional journey through the landscape. Balconies at each rise provide moments of pause, offering sweeping views of the river and city and leading to a large observation deck. Additionally, the cantilevered ground-level deck helps to frame views of Town Lake’s dense vegetation, reinforcing the center’s relationship with the surrounding ecology.
Deep Eddy, Austin, Texas, USA
June 2024- July 2024