Anna Hiss Gymnasium Renovation: From Gym to Robotics Lab

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University of Texas at Austin

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Austin, Texas

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55,240 SF

This image shows a break room or kitchen in modern workplace and educational facility. The space features bright blue upper cabinets and wooden lower cabinets with a white countertop and sink. A person with short dark hair sits at a simple white table in the center of the area, while another person with gray hair stands near the counter. The kitchen space is partially enclosed with a decorative red and white patterned wall panel on one side that adds visual interest. The ceiling maintains the industrial exposed look with visible ductwork, cables, and lighting fixtures. Natural light enters through windows visible in the background. The wooden flooring continues the aesthetic seen in previous images, while some wooden box-like seating or storage elements appear in the foreground. A small plant adds a touch of greenery to the space. A blurred figure can be seen walking past in the corridor.

This image features a prominent blue staircase with perforated metal railings connecting two levels. Two people are conversing at the railing on the upper level beneath exposed metal ductwork and blue structural supports. On the lower level, a person in dark clothing is sitting on a built-in red and white bench/platform beneath the staircase, looking at a tablet or device. Another individual can be seen in motion on the stairs (appearing slightly blurred). The space maintains an industrial aesthetic with exposed ceiling systems, wooden flooring, and a minimalist design approach that combines functional elements with architectural interest. The combination of white walls, blue structural elements, and red accents creates a cohesive design language throughout the facility.

This image shows a contemporary and spacious work space within the Anna Hiss Gymnasium-turned Robotics Lab with modern workspace elements. The interior features an open ceiling with exposed silver ductwork and blue metal framing, brick walls with large arched windows, and a multi-level workspace layout. The upper level is somewhat visible though semi-transparent white guard rails. In the foreground, there is an open collaborative area with tables where a woman is sitting on her phone. The original wood floors with basketball court lines have been preserved, allowing the viewer to see that this was once a functional gymnasium.

This image shows the now-modern interior of the renovated Anna Hiss Gymnasium with an elevator lobby and corridor intersection. The space features wooden flooring with directional lines inlaid, and a large number

This image shows an industrial office space within the Anna Hiss Gymnasium-turned Robotics Lab with modern workspace elements. The interior features an open ceiling with exposed silver ductwork and large arched windows. There are modular workstations with blue dividers and a set of grey lockers, indicating this space is likely designed to be utilized by students.

This image shows a well-equipped woodworking shop. The workshop features a blue floor and multiple woodworking stations with butcher block work surfaces. A green Grizzly band saw is prominently labeled on the left side of the room, with other workshop areas and equipment visible throughout the space. A person in a light gray shirt is working at one of the wooden workbenches on the right side. The space has industrial ceiling with exposed ductwork, ventilation systems, and electrical conduits. There's a retractable power cord reel visible hanging from the ceiling. Various power tools, clamps, and woodworking supplies are organized throughout the shop. Yellow doors with windows lead to other areas, and there's a glass partition on the left that looks into an adjacent space. The workshop appears to be designed for fabrication and prototyping work.

This image shows an industrial-style office hallway or collaborative workspace with exposed ceiling infrastructure. The space features a polished concrete floor and white walls with various doors and openings along the sides. Several people are visible - one person sitting on a wooden storage bench on the left, another at a desk or table in the middle, and a man in a light shirt walking down the corridor. The ceiling reveals exposed ductwork, pipes, and lighting fixtures, creating an urban loft aesthetic. On the right side, there's a decorative concrete block wall with a grid pattern allowing light to filter through. The minimalist design combines functional elements with modern workspace concepts, suggesting this may be part of a converted industrial building now serving as a creative or tech office environment.

This image shows an industrial-style collaborative workspace with exposed ceiling infrastructure. The space features a polished concrete floor and white walls. Several people are visible - one woman sitting at a workstation on the left, one man entering from a door in the background, and one woman working on a computer at a workstation on the right. Near the back doorway is a large electric lift for large equipment. The ceiling reveals exposed ductwork, pipes, and lighting fixtures, creating an urban loft aesthetic. The minimalist design combines functional elements with modern workspace concepts, suggesting this may be part of a converted industrial building now serving as a creative or tech office environment.

This image shows the exterior the brick Anna Hiss Gymnasium at night with a deep blue sky in the background. The structure has an industrial or warehouse aesthetic with a triangular roofline and features three large arched windows that dominate the façade. Through the illuminated windows, interior spaces with equipment or furniture are visible, suggesting the building has been repurposed as a workshop. The brick has a warm tan color, and there's a circular vent or window at the peak of the gable. Small landscaping elements are visible at the base of the building. The modern lighting from within creates a striking contrast with the historic architectural elements, indicating this may be a renovated industrial building now serving a new purpose.

Historic UT Austin Anna Hiss Gymnasium Transformed into Cutting-Edge Robotics Lab

The existing Anna Hiss Gymnasium building stood vacant at the University of Texas at Austin for some time. During this time, many departments attempted to find uses for the historic building. The two-story structure built in 1930 was in amazingly good condition despite the exterior needing stabilized and aging windows and roof replaced. Originally built for women’s athletics, the two-story structure features the historic camel-colored brick and red Spanish tile roof that characterize the university’s iconic architecture.

The University of Texas at Austin selected BSA to convert the long-vacant 1930s gymnasium into a state-of-the-art robotics laboratory. The goal of the project is to unify the University’s growing robotics program—currently spread across three schools and multiple buildings—into one central, collaborative environment. BSA worked closely with stakeholders to determine lab layouts, identify shared resources, and develop a flexible program supporting current and future research needs.

Prioritizing Preservation

As a historic building on campus, BSA and UT Austin prioritized the preservation of the exterior character of the building. Energy-efficient windows that mimic the original profiles and scale preserved the exterior look and feel. Furthermore, the tile roof’s restoration used salvaged and matching replacement tiles, reinforcing the University’s commitment to sustainable building design and architectural preservation.

Additionally, the original interior architecture retained in specific areas reflect the original environment. The interior planning takes a modern approach to adaptive reuse, using a clean-slate strategy to maximize circulation. A new elevator connects all levels, including a new mezzanine to increase usable space. The lower levels now feature open lab spaces, shred shops, and support spaces. Additionally, a lower-level area features a strengthened slab to support large-scale robotic equipment.

New MEP engineering solutions ensure the building is fully self-sustained, with dedicated electrical and mechanical systems independent of adjacent structures. The MEP building solutions tie into the campus chilled water loop but include isolation valves for operational independence. A new fire alarm system and full sprinkler coverage meet University safety standards, ensuring code compliance and future adaptability. As a result, the Anna Hiss Gymnasium is a flexible laboratory building capable of sustaining a growing and a changing program.

Read more about this project from one of the architects who worked on it here.

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Disciplines

Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design

Awards

2023 – Associated General Contractors of America, Austin Chapter: Outstanding Construction Award, Outstanding Construction ($10 Million – $30 Million)

Anna Hiss Gymnasium Renovation: From Gym to Robotics Lab

Historic UT Austin Anna Hiss Gymnasium Transformed into Cutting-Edge Robotics Lab

Prioritizing Preservation

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