The New Dougherty
at Butler Shores Park on the Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
The new design of the Dougherty Arts Center maximizes its connectivity to nature by melding art with public green space, indoor with outdoor, and preserving Butler Parks' spectacular canopy – creating an iconic, transformative, inclusive venue that celebrates the DAC’s historical role as Austin’s premier community arts center while better fulfilling their mission to provide tools, space, and programming that empowers Austin artists of all means to thrive!
4 POINTS OF CONNECTIVITY WITH NATURE
Adjacent to an updgrade public green space with a children's playscape, improved trails and large grassy lawn, the DAC invites people in from all directions into a large, light-filled atrium - The Hive.
EMBRACING THE CANOPY & THE LIGHT
Butler Shores Park features an empressive canopy anchored by an acient Oak tree to the north. The North Entrance, facing the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and Lady Bird Lake, wraps lovingly around this centerpiece, aligning the building height with the canopy and showcasing the natural flow of the treeline with undulating waves of corregate metal mesh to soften the structural lines. Walls of attrium windows allow every point of the hive to be filled with sunlight.
ART MEETS GREEN SPACE: THE GREAT LAWN
The West entrance of the building faces the Great Lawn. Anchored by a rain garden, a plaza, two-storys of sunlit attrium, and an outdoor exhibit wall (shown in white), this entrance embraces the storied idea of large open green spaces melding seamlessly with points of visual and artistic interest. At this entrance, on the second floor of the Hive, you can see the artists lounge - a space where Austin artists of all levels and interests can share ideas and knowledge and build community.
ACCESSIBILITY, SAFTEY & TRAFFIC FLOW: SOUTH ENTRANCE
The South Entrance connects the DAC with Toomey Road, providing a separate circular drive for deliveries and school traffic, as well as a convenient entrance to the children's programming with improved safety and traffic flow, and a separate area from the garage entrance for patrons to utilize ride-shares or be dropped off.
CONNECTING TO THE ARTS
The East Entrance connects the DAC with the Zach Theater Plaza, in the first such substantial partnership of art and performance adjacent to each other in Austin, complimenting other art facilities on the South Shore including the Long Performing Arts Center, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, and Zilker Hillside Theater. Topfer patrons can enjoy the visual co-mingling of open gallery space, public art and nature when attending Zach performances; and this marriage improves the visibility of DAC exhibits and performances to an art-minded community.
IMPROVED SIZE, SPACE AND CONNECTIVITY
IMPROVING OR EXPANDING IN THE NEW DESIGN:
THE SCHOOL
Youth Lobby & Entry
School Drop-Off Access
Youth Lockers
Teachers’ Offices
Painting & Drawing Classroom
Art Classroom
Theater/Drama Classroom
Dance Studio
Computer Labs
Outdoor Playground
Teachers’ Lounge & Library
Support Spaces & Storage
Youth Restrooms
School Connect Space
Outdoor Public Learning Space Designated Specialists’ Office
Secure Isolation Room
Teachers’ Kitchen & Laundry
THEATERS & GALLERY
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Proscenium Theater
Box Office
Black Box Theater
Dressing Rooms
Gallery Curator’s Office & Docent
Theater Prefunction Lobby
Rehearsal Space
Theater Loading
Theater Office
Sound & Tech Support Space
Private & Rentable Storage
Theater Workshop
Exhibition Prep/Storage
Private Outdoor Gallery
Private Theater Restrooms Cafe/Catering
Theater Green Room
Gallery Art Vault
ADMINISTRATION
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Lobby Reception/Info Desk
Division Manager Office
Staff Offices
Business Office
Staff Breakroom & Kitchen
Copy Room
Maintenance Office
Additional Staff Office
Shared Open Office Space
Conference/Training Room
Staff Showers/Bike Storage
STUDIOS
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Painting & Drawing Studio Photography Studio
Jewelry Studio & Metal Shop
Studio Staff Office
Photography Studio Darkroom
Clay & Ceramics Studio
Ceramics Storage
Ceramics Glazing & Chemicals Private Outdoor Kiln Yard
Studio Connect Space
Studio Private Balcony
Indoor Ceramics Kilns
Multi-Purpose Studio
Artists in Residence Studios
Artists’ Resource Center
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PUBLIC / GENERAL
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Circulation Spaces
Accessibility
Wayfinding
Displays for Art Throughout
Secure Parking Access
Public Restrooms
Family Restrooms
Communal Lobby & Skybridge
Rentable Rooftop Terrace
Creative Makerspace Gathering/Event Plazas
Underground Private Garage
Private/Public Courtyards
Public Sculpture Opportunities
Interactive/Teaching Gardens
Raingardens & Boardwalks
Great Lawn
River Trailhead & Connections
