AUSTIN, TX | 5 Acres, 9,500 SF

The Kozmetsky Center for Child Protection provides an inviting environment where children who have reported abuse and their protective caregivers can go for evaluation, crisis intervention, evidence gathering, and counseling.  This warm, whimsical, sustainable facility is designed with the staff, clients, and the environment at the forefront.  GSC’s design team took great care to create a cozy, colorful, specially equipped space to help reduce the trauma during times of investigation and prosecution of crimes against children.

The building offers many sustainable features, such as low VOC emitting material, materials from renewable resources, and other materials that can be recycled at the end of their life cycle. Most of the interior doors and frames were salvaged from another demolition project, diverting that waste from landfills. Additionally, the roof has a roof membrane with a high albedo to help reduce the heat island effect. The windows have a 1” insulated low “E” glazing and thermally broken window frames. The team also replaced the old mechanical system with a system complying with ASHRE 90.1.  Our team took special care in siting and orientating the new building to protect the many heritage Oak and Pecan trees on the 5-acre site.

CLIENT Child Protective Services, Austin SERVICES PROVIDED Planning/Programming, Architectural and Interior Design, Construction Documents, Construction Administration, FF&E