Asian American Resource Center (Phase II) Performing Arts & Cultural Center | Austin, Texas | 2022

Architects: Trahan Architects
Design Team: Victor F. “Trey” Trahan III, Kevin Thomas, David Sweere, Vincent Lai, Brian Richter, and James Babin
Client: City of Austin, Texas
Renderings: Courtesy of the Architects

The new Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Performing Arts and Cultural Center will create a space of belonging and healing for the Pan-Asian community. It is a place to empower Austin's diverse Pan-Asian community through cultural understanding and life-enhancing opportunities.

The design carves out space for community partnerships, organizing cultural, educational, and health wellness programs, and curating art and historical exhibitionsso diverse communities are supported and connected. Designed for arts and culture while providing space for healing and unity, the building facilitates connections through shared narratives where diverse cultures can converge, build relationships, and create collaboratively.

Programmatic possibilities for the Pan-Asian community in Austin are expanded through a highly flexible and adaptable 350-seat performance theater, a black box theater, and an art gallery that defies experiential expectations and empowers the local community to explore artistic risk while embracing traditional cultural performances and activities.

The design brings people together through three volumes that create a home for cultural celebration, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior space. The new public plaza at the heart of campus provides a democratic outdoor space for congregation and performance where all are welcome.

By adapting proven technologies for new uses, the two AARC theatres can be altered into a wide array of configurationsincluding proscenium, thrust, arena, traverse, studio, and flat floor configurationswith only a small crew in a few hours. The community is empowered to select or invent the stage-audience configuration that fulfills artistic desires, facilitating experimentation. The room's design facilitates theatre productions and community-based events such as fashion shows and cultural festivals.

The performance chambers are intentionally designed using materials that are not precious to encourage alterations; the stage and auditorium surfaces can be cut, drilled, painted, welded, sawed, nailed, glued, and stitched at a limited cost.

The design of the building highlights a commitment to social and environmental sustainability by improving the community's well-being and making life more enjoyable. The building is enveloped by an energy-efficient triple-glazed façade that opens the interior spaces to the surrounding landscape, creating a highly transparent connection between interior and exterior spaces. The AARC building is targeting LEED silver minimum.