An exemplary project utilizing local resources, the Bluebonnet Trails MHMR Center is a County facility serving an eight (8) County region. Located on a 13.7-acre site adjacent to Brushy Creek, the Center blends handsomely with its surroundings and presents an attractive environment.

Deep KAH Architecture established relationships and years of professionalism enabled smooth solutions to project challenges, including: a 100 year flood plain, site antiquities, wetlands, and a regional wastewater system. The facility accommodates fifteen (15) departments and over two hundred employees in addition to the vast clientele served by the agency. These numerous departments and their associated patrons presented distinct circulation challenges as proper separation was required while still maintaining direct working relationship ability. Further, security issues mandated outside-the-box design. Great attention to detail was given to meet each challenge and to exceed Owner expectations.

Native materials such as a cut limestone base, stone veneer, stucco, exposed wood trusses at covered drop-offs, and a standing seam galvalume roofing system provides the facility with a Lone Star, Texas-true feeling and a positive, inviting mood throughout the building. Further, tall clerestories provide natural light amidst major circulation areas, contributing to an open, upbeat environment.

KAH Architecture’s third edifice for the Bluebonnet Trails Mental Health and Mental Retardation organization, this facility again mirrors the Round Rock headquarters building. It continues the collectively enjoyed inviting, service oriented personality of the MHMR family.

After extensive programming charettes with key stakeholders, the design of this Marble Falls location includes:

• Early Childhood Areas
• Administration and Personnel Offices
• Meeting Offices
• Treatment Rooms
• Club Room

Like its Bastrop cousin, the functional interior space utilizes a flexible layout and a single story design while the exterior sports a limestone and EIFS finish to blend with the surrounding natural environment. Landscape remains in its natural state to relish the one-of-a-kind Hill Country view offered by the sloped, rocky site.

The second in a multiple project series for the Bluebonnet Trails Mental Health Mental Retardation organization, KAH Architecture repeated the needs assessment process for the Bastrop County service area. Building from the details gleaned throughout multiple workshops as well as leadership and staff interviews, the Bluebonnet Trails MHMR Center in Bastrop consolidates multiple facility services into this one complex reflecting the organization’s design personality as was started in the Round Rock, TX headquarter facility. The Bastrop space includes:

• Early Childhood Areas
• Administration and Personnel Offices
• Meeting Rooms
• Treatment Areas
• Club Room

Working with rather than against an extremely sloped site, the edifice was designed with a suspended slab. This irreplaceable design solution minimized site footprint and impact to thus preserve valued ecological amenities. The functional interior space utilizes a flexible layout and a single story design while the exterior sports a limestone and EIFS finish to blend with the surrounding topography. Landscape remains in its native state to further reflect the beauty of the Texas Hill Country area.

A new two (2) bay fire station nestled in the piney forest of Spring, Texas, this 9,500 square foot facility serves a fast growing community. The station sports a fully equipped, spacious kitchen and dining area, dayroom, fitness room, and three administration offices. Four (4) dorm rooms with showers and restrooms create a home away from home environment for the fire-fighters and staff.

Facility bones are a pre-engineered metal building with a brick and split faced CMU veneer accented with cast stone. Stained concrete runs throughout the interior with the exception of the fitness area which has rubberized sports flooring. Porcelain tile accents the restrooms.

The apparatus bay includes trench drains, a PlymoVent system and a large high volume low speed (HVLS) fan as well as a mechanical mezzanine with enclosed data room.

Exterior features include an emergency call box for public needs, a fully landscaped lawn watered by naturally detained on-site water, detention basin, communications tower and a pull through driveway.

As project architects for the 9,650 square foot fire station for the Pedernales Fire Department, KAH Architecture worked through a challenging site to produce a first class station.

The topography of the 1.6 acre building site required a unique design of the structure which consequently impacted its constructability when compared to a standard one-level building of the same square footage. A grade change of 14 feet along the east façade of the building dictated a two-level structure with a retaining wall 14 feet high and 142 feet long. The ground level apparatus bay section is a pre-engineered steel structure with metal panel siding and a standing seam metal roof. The crew quarters and administrative areas are located in a standard two-level metal/wood framing/EFIS/masonry structure. The two types of construction were joined by a reinforced, CMU parapet wall 42 feet high and 51 feet long. The site also presented additional challenges in the design of the surface drainage. Throughout the entire design process, KAH Architecture identified out of the box solutions.

The first level of the 9,650 square foot structure includes four (4) fire apparatus bays, fire crew sleeping and living quarters, fitness and utility rooms. The fire department administrative offices, training room with a large kitchen, restrooms and a large mezzanine storage and utility area are located on the second level.

Our third fire station for the City of Round Rock is this four bay station located in the Old Settler’s Park area. This 11,850 square foot station houses the training division for the Fire Department and includes a meeting/training room large enough to accommodate 50 people. Plans for a training tower are included for a future phase.

At the onset of planning the station’s design, the program was completed with input from all fire department staff levels. Input including design decisions, station layout, and public versus private spaces filled discussions. Details as general as room configuration and as specific as the number of electrical outlets to be included in each room were discussed.

The neighborhood station operates 24-hours a day and includes dormitories and kitchen facilities to accommodate three separate shift units. An exercise and weight room as well as outdoor recreation space provide “down time” activities for this home away from home for the fire fighters. Large 14’ X 14’ bay doors on the drive-through bays support plans for a future ladder truck to serve the community. One bay houses EMS services. The station utilizes the Plymovent air cleaning technology system in the apparatus bay to promote a clean and healthy work environment for the fire-fighting crew and any visiting public.

This three building project for Travis County ESD #2 gives the Pflugerville Fire Department the facilities needed to train and keep top quality fire fighters. Giving Pflugerville a well-rounded arsenal of public safety tools, the fire department now includes an Administration Building, Educational Building, and Training Center for Travis County ESD #2.

Utilizing the historic Pflugerville Hall for design inspiration, the new Education Building includes classrooms, offices, computer labs, storage, and a large meeting room with exterior access for evening and weekend community use. The new Administrative building also mirrors the historic Hall in style and provides offices and work space for department personnel. Completing the project is the Training Center storage building located on an auxiliary site.

This three bay fire station is located in the upscale Austin neighborhood of Steiner Ranch. Built for both male and female staff, it incorporates dormitory-style sleeping quarters, a food preparation area, a locker room, an exercise room and a day room. Exterior finishes were selected to complement the existing architectural styles of the surrounding community while the interior red oak cabinetry and floors provide a comfortable, warm environment for the staff. The Training Center spaces are designed to function independently from the rest of the station.

Initiated with the County’s purchase of a 180 acre site, 50 acres of the land was allocated for this new Juvenile Justice Facility to serve the greater Williamson County area. The project began with needs assessment and programming to forecast needs five to ten year ahead, including future expansion requirements.

The 112,000 square foot one story facility houses 72 male and 24 female juvenile inmates. The secure area of the facility resembles that of a standard incarceration building while those individuals in the non-secure area are housed in a college dorm type of environment. The facility includes a state of the art central control room, secure sallyport, a protected booking/visitation area, an education academy, a 1,100 square foot courtroom, full service kitchen and dining halls, administration/support areas, medical facility, gymnasium, and exterior activity areas. To accommodate the range of offenders, many of these areas are divided into both secure and non-secure spaces. This provides the necessary safety for both the staff and the juveniles. Another added security measure – the central control room monitors pedestrian movement within the interior and exterior of the building.

Exterior finishes compare to area high school campuses and are strategically design to provide an aesthetically pleasing facade to compliment the area as a whole.

The Manchaca Fire Department teamed with the Shady Hollow MUD to develop a 15,000 square foot Fire Station to meet the public safety needs of its developing community. A shared-use facility, the station features a four (4) bay apparatus area, crew living quarters for eight (8) fire fighters, shared restroom facilities, and a community/training room adjacent to the living quarters for community activities and fire fighter training. The apparatus bay is designed for large ladder trucks with pull-through capability and is strategically positioned to allow for easy access of full-time crew as well as volunteers.

The functional and inviting design allows for combined uses from firefighters and the community alike. It provides an inviting building for community interaction, while still being secure for everyday firefighting needs. The large entrance tower, front facing windows, and large apparatus bay doors allow the building to have an active and open view from the street while also making the station an icon for the community. The project is built in the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and in the City of Austin ETJ. It has been designed to meet all the necessary requirements of each entity overseeing the site.