Photo by ProvidedAustin-based O'Connell Robertson was selected by the Austin Community College board of trustees to create the Highland Learning Center Master Plan, a blueprint to converting Highland Mall into a new college campus.
An Austin-based design firm was selected Nov. 5 to lead efforts by Austin Community College to turn Highland Mall into a new campus.
O'Connell Robertson was picked 6-0-1 by the ACC board of trustees among four firms to create a Highland Learning Center Master Plan, which will dictate how best to convert the former mall into new college-tailored facilities. ACC also owns land surrounding the structure that will be converted into mixed-use development.
"The Highland Mall project is probably—definitely—in my 20 years here and probably the entire history of the college the largest thing we've ever attempted to do—large both in size and eventually in dollars," trustee Alan Kaplan said before motioning to hire O'Connell Robertson. "Highland Learning Center is without a doubt the largest and most complex project in education in this country today. It is quite enormous."
All four firms gave final pitches during the Oct. 21 ACC board meeting before any final decision was made. During the O'Connell Robertson presentation, much emphasis was placed on creating a student-friendly environment.
