The American National Bank Building was an iconic mid-century building in downtown Austin that was vacated and in danger of being lost. Now the McGarrah Jessee Building, the exterior was renovated and McGarrah Jessee, an award-winning branding agency, was placed as the building’s primary occupant. The main goal was to capture the free-wheeling personality of the agency while respecting the original modern architecture and Knoll interiors. The design unfolds elegantly at the atrium of the piano nobile, which is rimmed with Knoll workstations and peels back to reveal a more raw space at the perimeter beyond. The interiors repurpose many items, including grates from the basement parking, plate glass, teak paneling, and marble slabs to finish off exposed columns. New openings were also punched on the western façade to provide a welcoming exterior and allow balanced interior lighting.

Recognition: Citation of Honor, AIA Austin, 2011; Merit Award, Heritage Society of Austin, 2011; Design Award, Texas Society of Architects, 2012; Honor Award, Preservation Texas, 2012; Workplace Award, Architect (Magazine), 2012; Commercial Real Estate Awards – Office Rehab Winner, Austin Business Journal, 2013

Publication: Apartment Therapy, Dec 2010; Architect, Dec 2012; Architect, Jan 2013; Austin 360, Dec 2010; Austin American-Statesman, June 2009; Austin American-Statesman, July 2013; Austin Business Journal, June 2009; Austin Business Journal, Nov 2010; Austin Business Journal, Feb 2013; Austin Monthly Home, 2011, Texas Architect, Mar/Apr 2011;Texas Architect, Sep/Oct 2012