Mark Odom Studio, the architecture firm known for its adaptive reuse projects at notable Austin sites including the midcentury BKCW Building on North Lamar Boulevard and Bumble's Rosedale headquarters, recently completed another office transformation — one that resulted in quite before/after imagery.
The redevelopment called for renovating a quirky, two-story 1970 office building at 4000 Medical Parkway into one with modern, bright spaces (including the studio’s new headquarters, which will occupy the top floor). The firm converted the 54-year-old commercial building on a half-acre lot, sticking with its unusual, triangular footprint, maintaining the original’s 10,000 square feet, and adding accessibility features without losing any leasable square footage.
The designers added windows and skylights and relocated restrooms, allowing natural light to hit all three sides of the building and create see-through views.
The studio changed the building’s exterior dramatically. “Removing the exterior limestone and turrets that were at each point of the triangle allowed us to see the floor plan and design in its truest form. This also made possible for a large, 12-foot window wall accommodating conference rooms on both floors,” said the studio's Erin Nies said.
Adding an exterior elevator connected by a skybridge provided second-floor access while not interrupting the triangular floor plan. The design team reused and salvaged the primary components of the building—slab, wall, and roof frame — while improving the building envelope and natural light as well as its quality, aesthetics, and function. The exterior was also updated with a thermo-spruce facade, and the studio removed the front parking lot to create a usable green buffer to the street.
“The plan and design prioritizes wellness and sets a precedent for greenscapes in urban areas,” Odom said. “By making the much needed adjustments and the addition of an elevator with glass walkway and front yard, the re-imagined building is all about user experience and sets a precedent on the street.”
Citadel Development was the project developer. Wuest Group Engineering and Surveying, Spencer Landscape Company, Way Consulting Engineers, mechanical and plumbing engineer Oscar Vilarreal, and electrical engineer ODG were all project partners. Contour Collective was the accessibility consultant.
Beaux Med Spa occupies the building’s 5,000-square-foot first floor.
