• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

TOWERS

Austin city life since 2007.

  • News
    • Condo Projects
    • Neighborhoods
  • Listings
    • Austin Condo Guide
  • Newsletter
Search
You are here: Home / News / The Trump Administration Thinks This Austin Courthouse Is Really Ugly
Search suggestions: condos for sale • rainey street

The Trump Administration Thinks This Austin Courthouse Is Really Ugly

James Rambin February 5, 2020 Comment

A view of the federal courthouse in downtown Austin from West Fifth and San Antonio Streets. Image: Page

A draft executive order from the White House outlining a rewrite of national guidelines for federal architecture cites downtown Austin’s U.S. courthouse facility as an example of a government building with “little aesthetic appeal.” Good heavens!

A view of the building from West Fourth Street. Image: Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects

The draft order, titled “Making Federal Buildings Beautiful Again,” would hugely shape the design of future federal structures by demanding adherence to a “classical architectural style” over more modern designs — and Austin’s courthouse, along with the San Francisco Federal Building and Miami’s own federal courthouse, is among the three specific examples the order cites as failures to provide “visual testimony to the dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability of the American government.”

The draft decries the quality of architecture under the General Service Administration’s (GSA) Design Excellence Program for its failure to re-integrate “our national values into Federal buildings” which too often have been “influenced by Brutalism and Deconstructivism.”

— Architectural Record, February 4, 2020

A view of the building’s backside at West Fourth and Nueces Streets. Image: AIA Austin / Casey Dunn

The courthouse, opened at the former site of downtown’s infamous Intel shell at 501 West Fifth Street in 2012, features design from Atlanta architects Mack Scogin Merrill Elam and local firm Page. It’s directly adjacent to the historic Republic Square park.

A clipping of an article discussing the preliminary courthouse plan including renderings of its design from the March 28, 2006 edition of the Austin-American Statesman. Image: Austin History Center

In 2016, the facility received an award from the Justice Facilities Review of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the jury had lots of superlatives on hand:

The jury found this project to be a finely crafted instrument, unapologetically modern, appropriately conveying the dignity of the institution. The connection to the heavily used public plaza is so important, and the building entry and lobby serve very effectively as extensions and enhancements to the public space. Clearly a mature expression, this reinterpretation of the judiciary manifests itself as grounded in its place, simultaneously exuberant yet modest, even restrained, spatially and functionally complex, subtle and consummately graceful in its detail, thorough and fittingly attentive throughout.

The well-proportioned, asymmetrical courtrooms seem to rest comfortably balanced between formality and wit. Much of the richness seems to be communicated directly through the well-choreographed palette of materials that expresses appropriateness and longevity through fine workmanship—an exemplary project in every aspect.

— AIA 2016 Justice Facilities Review

It would be hard to tell an architect you don’t like their building more succinctly than by arguing its very existence creates a precedent for prohibiting future designs of its nature on a federal level, but we don’t really think Austin’s courthouse deserves quite this much hate. The only complaints we’ve heard regarding its design relate to the security requirements of a federal building harming its accessibility at the pedestrian scale, and you can blame Timothy McVeigh for that, not postmodern architecture.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by tommydugan (@tommydugan)

In response to reports on the draft, the AIA issued this statement via tweet:

The AIA strongly opposes uniform style mandates for federal architecture. Architecture should be designed for the specific communities that it serves, reflecting our rich nation’s diverse places, thought, culture and climates. Architects are committed to honoring our past as well as reflecting our future progress, protecting the freedom of thought and expression that are essential to democracy.

Eric Rauser, the 2020 president of Austin’s AIA chapter, also provided a statement:

Advocating for or against any stated style of architecture both undermines and demonstrates a lack of understanding of architectural design. Buildings must be designed to respond to the natural and cultural context in which they reside. The U.S. Courthouse in Austin embodies the values of the current Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture as well as reflects the values of our city in many ways including its embrace of public space and regional materials. AIA Austin is gratified by the virtues embodied this building and the work of all our membership.

Latest Downtown Austin Condos For Sale

  • $1,495,000 300 Bowie Street #3702
    Austin, TX
  • $1,375,000 44 East Avenue #3107
    Austin, TX
  • $1,250,000 44 East Avenue #1607
    Austin, TX
  • $2,850,000 222 West Avenue #2901
    Austin, TX
  • $1,695,000 70 Rainey Street #1908
    Austin, TX
  • $719,900 48 East Avenue #2903
    Austin, TX
  • $649,900 603 Davis Street #604
    Austin, TX
  • $2,895,000 501 West Avenue #2103
    Austin, TX
  • $769,900 48 East Avenue #1608
    Austin, TX
  • $569,000 210 Lee Barton Drive #415
    Austin, TX
  • $724,900 800 Embassy Drive #401
    Austin, TX
  • $749,999 54 Rainey Street #713
    Austin, TX
  • $2,390,000 501 West Avenue #3504
    Austin, TX
  • $4,990,000 44 East Avenue #4804
    Austin, TX
  • $2,500,000 311 W 5th Street #803
    Austin, TX
300 Bowie Street #3702
Austin, TX
Photo of 300  Bowie Street #3702, Austin, TX 78703 (MLS # 5308940)
$1,495,000
Lot Size
170 sqft

Home Size
1,704 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

44 East Avenue #3107
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #3107, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3177152)
$1,375,000
Lot Size
88 sqft

Home Size
1,221 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

44 East Avenue #1607
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #1607, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3439383)
$1,250,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
1,221 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

222 West Avenue #2901
Austin, TX
Photo of 222  West Avenue #2901, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 7310113)
$2,850,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
2,227 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

70 Rainey Street #1908
Austin, TX
Photo of 70  Rainey Street #1908, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5246691)
$1,695,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
1,434 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

48 East Avenue #2903
Austin, TX
Photo of 48  East Avenue #2903, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2196520)
$719,900
Lot Size
17,904 sqft

Home Size
641 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

603 Davis Street #604
Austin, TX
Photo of 603  Davis Street #604, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2434110)
$649,900
Lot Size
214 sqft

Home Size
1,136 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

501 West Avenue #2103
Austin, TX
Photo of 501  West Avenue #2103, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4503529)
$2,895,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
2,822 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

48 East Avenue #1608
Austin, TX
Photo of 48  East Avenue #1608, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5281895)
$769,900
Lot Size
17,904 sqft

Home Size
803 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

210 Lee Barton Drive #415
Austin, TX
Photo of 210  Lee Barton Drive #415, Austin, TX 78704 (MLS # 9904633)
$569,000
Lot Size
401 sqft

Home Size
1,002 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
1 Bath

800 Embassy Drive #401
Austin, TX
Photo of 800  Embassy Drive #401, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1860215)
$724,900
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
1,214 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

54 Rainey Street #713
Austin, TX
Photo of 54  Rainey Street #713, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 7457011)
$749,999
Lot Size
305 sqft

Home Size
1,164 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

501 West Avenue #3504
Austin, TX
Photo of 501  West Avenue #3504, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9522632)
$2,390,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
2,009 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

44 East Avenue #4804
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #4804, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6829683)
$4,990,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
3,234 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

311 W 5th Street #803
Austin, TX
Photo of 311 W 5th Street #803, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5816720)
$2,500,000
Lot Size
301 sqft

Home Size
2,361 sqft

Beds
2 Beds

Baths
2 Baths

  • 300 Bowie Street #3702
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 300  Bowie Street #3702, Austin, TX 78703 (MLS # 5308940)
    $1,495,000
    Lot Size
    170 sqft

    Home Size
    1,704 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #3107
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #3107, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3177152)
    $1,375,000
    Lot Size
    88 sqft

    Home Size
    1,221 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #1607
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #1607, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3439383)
    $1,250,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    1,221 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 222 West Avenue #2901
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 222  West Avenue #2901, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 7310113)
    $2,850,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    2,227 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 70 Rainey Street #1908
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 70  Rainey Street #1908, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5246691)
    $1,695,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    1,434 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 48 East Avenue #2903
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 48  East Avenue #2903, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2196520)
    $719,900
    Lot Size
    17,904 sqft

    Home Size
    641 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 603 Davis Street #604
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 603  Davis Street #604, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2434110)
    $649,900
    Lot Size
    214 sqft

    Home Size
    1,136 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 501 West Avenue #2103
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 501  West Avenue #2103, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4503529)
    $2,895,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    2,822 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 48 East Avenue #1608
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 48  East Avenue #1608, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5281895)
    $769,900
    Lot Size
    17,904 sqft

    Home Size
    803 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 210 Lee Barton Drive #415
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 210  Lee Barton Drive #415, Austin, TX 78704 (MLS # 9904633)
    $569,000
    Lot Size
    401 sqft

    Home Size
    1,002 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    1 Bath

  • 800 Embassy Drive #401
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 800  Embassy Drive #401, Austin, TX 78702 (MLS # 1860215)
    $724,900
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    1,214 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 54 Rainey Street #713
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 54  Rainey Street #713, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 7457011)
    $749,999
    Lot Size
    305 sqft

    Home Size
    1,164 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 501 West Avenue #3504
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 501  West Avenue #3504, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9522632)
    $2,390,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    2,009 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 44 East Avenue #4804
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 44  East Avenue #4804, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 6829683)
    $4,990,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    3,234 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 311 W 5th Street #803
    Austin, TX
    Photo of 311 W 5th Street #803, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 5816720)
    $2,500,000
    Lot Size
    301 sqft

    Home Size
    2,361 sqft

    Beds
    2 Beds

    Baths
    2 Baths

Previous Next
 

Editor's Suggested Posts

In 1986, an Architecture Critic Roasted Austin's 'Pompous' Skyline

In 1986, an Architecture Critic Roasted Austin's 'Pompous' Skyline

When the Klan Took Republic Square

When the Klan Took Republic Square

Take a Peek at Travis County's New Downtown Courthouse Design

Take a Peek at Travis County's New Downtown Courthouse Design

Related

Filed Under: News Tagged With: 78701, architecture, design

About James Rambin

James is an Austin native and fifth-generation Texan, but tries not to brag about it. Email him anything at james@towers.net.

603 Davis Street #604
Austin, TX
Photo of 603  Davis Street #604, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2434110)
$649,900
10
  • Lot Size
    214 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,136 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

Previous Post: « Let’s Have a Nice Day at Waterloo Park, (Finally) Set to Open This Fall
Next Post: The Independent’s Crown Officially Lights Up Tomorrow Night »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  •  Schedule a showing

FEATURED Listings

603 Davis Street #604
Austin, TX
Photo of 603  Davis Street #604, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 2434110)
$649,900
10
  • Lot Size
    214 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,136 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

44 EAST Avenue #2310
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  EAST Avenue #2310, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 9418770)
$1,425,000
40
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    1,260 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

View Virtual Tour
44 East Avenue #1607
Austin, TX
Photo of 44  East Avenue #1607, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 3439383)
$1,250,000
36
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    1,221 sqft

  • Beds
    2 Beds

  • Baths
    2 Baths

View Virtual Tour
608 Brentwood Street #A
Austin, TX
Photo of 608  Brentwood Street #A, Austin, TX 78752 (MLS # 3202099)
$989,608
33
  • Lot Size
    4,356 sqft

  • Home Size
    1,959 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    3 Baths

501 West Avenue #2103
Austin, TX
Photo of 501  West Avenue #2103, Austin, TX 78701 (MLS # 4503529)
$2,895,000
40
  • Lot Size

  • Home Size
    2,822 sqft

  • Beds
    3 Beds

  • Baths
    4 Baths

austin condo report

Featured Buildings

  • 360 Condos
  • Austin City Lofts
  • The Independent
  • The Shore Condos
  • 70 Rainey

Footer

LEGAL NOTICE

TREC Information About Brokerage Services (pdf)

Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice


TOWERS realty

Austin Condos For Sale

Agents

Downtown Buildings

Luxury Towers

  • Four Seasons Residences
  • W Hotel & Residences
  • The Austonian
  • 5 Fifty Five at Hilton

Most Popular

  • The Shore
  • 360 Condos
  • Seaholm Condos
  • Spring Condos
  • Milago Condos

New Construction

  • The Independent
  • 70 Rainey
  • Austin Proper
  • Fifth & West

Loft Style

  • Austin City Lofts
  • Brazos Place
  • The Sabine
  • Plaza Lofts
  • Avenue Lofts
  • Brazos Lofts
  • Brown Building

Resources

  • Austin Condo Guide
  • Condos For Sale
  • Condo Buyer FAQ
  • Property Search

Featured

Archives

Newsletter · About · Contact Us · DMCA · Privacy Policy · SLAPP · Copyright © 2007-2022 TOWERS.net · All Rights Reserved
 

Loading Comments...