Heimsath Architects created 5,000 sq ft of new office space for AISD Food Services inside the district's existing Central Warehouse. This adaptive reuse project brings staff and support activities together in one location. The open office layout provides flexible and dynamic work and breakout spaces for employees. A test kitchen is planned to provide facilities for teaching as well.
To adapt a portion of the un-airconditioned warehouse for office use the architects studied ways to provide a continuous insulation and vapor barrier. A double ceiling system consisting of acoustical ceiling and rigid insulation was devised to allow easy access for maintenance of the building systems.
The project was split into two phases in order to meet a fixed deadline. The administrative functions were permitted as an extension of an existing B occupancy, avoiding a time-delay in obtaining a City of Austin site development permit. Other program requirements, including a new teaching kitchen, were planned for a second phase that started at the completion of the site permit process.
