Holy Cross Hall
St. Edwards University, Austin, Texas
In the spring of 2015, St. Edward’s University began the exterior restoration and interior renovation of Holy Cross Hall, one of its two iconic historic campus buildings. Originally built as a dormitory in 1903, the project’s scope included improvements including masonry repointing, window replacement, wood trim repairs, and roofing replacement in addition to interior modernization. The more significant whole-building interior renovation totaled about 25,000 square feet to provide 40 faculty offices, ground-level spaces for faculty training and education, an Honors classroom, offices for the student newspaper, the School of Arts & Humanities Dean’s Suite, and collaborative spaces in the corridors and stair landings. In the process of the renovation, the architect uncovered the original long-leaf-pine wood subfloor that was salvaged, refinished, and placed in the corridors.
The university hired Baldridge Architects of Austin as the architects and Benz Resource Group as the project manager representing St. Edward’s University for the project.
Benz Resource Group was truly pivotal in the success of the Holy Cross Hall renovation. Design and construction can be challenging even under ideal conditions. Here, we were working with a 1903 building that posed challenges and unknowns on an almost weekly basis. Susan and her team showed an uncanny ability at collecting facts, framing problems and brokering decisions that served their clients goals as well as the design. We simply loved working with Susan and her team.
Burton Baldridge, Principal, Baldridge Architects
Betty & Edward Marcus Sculpture Park Arrival Garden
Laguna Gloria, Austin, Texas
The Contemporary Austin began working on a Master Plan for Laguna Gloria in 2014, the goal of which was to envision a landscape that expressed Laguna Gloria’s unique cultural and ecological stories as a venue for making and experiencing art, aligning the site to The Contemporary Austin’s mission & vision.
After the completion of the Master Plan in 2015, the design team was tasked with designing and constructing enhancements to the visitor experience and orientation, while recognizing the historic nature of the site. These elements, making up what is known as the Arrival Garden, include a new parking scheme, fence, pedestrian and vehicular entry gates, visitor services and retail buildings, and a shade structure over the new entry, as well as the renovation of the existing Gatehouse to provide formal visitor restrooms and updated office space.
Benz Resource Group was hired after the completion of the Master Plan to manage the Phase 1 improvements at the Arrival Garden seen as a catalyst for the larger landscape-driven project. BRG is working closely with The Contemporary Austin to negotiate contracts, establish budgets, and manage the work flow through construction.
Benz Resource Group’s outstanding experience and professionalism have been vital. Their steadfast management has assured me that The Contemporary Austin and future of Laguna Gloria is in good hands. As a client, you’ll witness their deep sense of responsibility and commitment to a project through their ability to adapt, find solutions, collaborate and accommodate whenever possible.
Louis Grachos, Executive Director and CEO, The Contemporary Austin
Operations Building
St. Edwards University, Austin, Texas
Completed in July 2017, the Operations Building is a 2-Story, 18,000 square foot steel structure and metal clad building that houses the University Police Department, Mail and Copy Services, Procurement Services, and Master Planning.
I can always rest easy when Benz Resource Group is managing one of our projects. They are truly an extension of the university and always have our best interests in mind. Susan and her team are a delight to work with and do a great job keeping the project on time and budget.
Scott Burnotes, Associate Vice President for University Operations , St. Edward's University
Forever Bicycles
Waller Delta, Austin, Texas
Two of our clients, The Contemporary Austin and the Waller Creek Conservancy, joined forces to present Forever Bicycles, a sculpture comprised of 1,254 steel bicycle frames by conceptual artist Ai Wewei on the bank of the Waller Delta – where Waller Creek meets Lady Bird Lake. Benz Resource Group was engaged to manage the permitting on City of Austin Parkland, site work, and lighting for the piece. BRG worked intensely in collaboration with The Contemporary Austin’s exhibitions team and the Waller Creek Conservancy staff in order to accomplish this public installation.
We couldn't have done it without Benz Resource Group!
Meredith Bossin, Director of Engagement, Waller Creek Conservancy
Main Building Exterior Restoration
St. Edwards University, Austin, Texas
Renovations to St. Edward’s University’s iconic Main Building began in July 2016 and were completed in Spring 2017. The work included repairs to the roofing, windows, interior spaces, limestone façade and central tower.
Munday Library
St. Edward's University, Austin, Texas
The Munday Library – an addition to and renovation of the campus’s existing library – was imagined as a single central space that enhances and catalyzes interaction around technology and group learning. The new library also provides a signature academic space that embodies the values of the university: intrinsic connection to the community and grounding in the natural world.
The Munday Library also reconnects a neglected grove of live oaks to the network of shady courtyards that dot the campus hilltop. Framed views at either end of the building emphasize these connections and establish the library as the academic heart of the university. Activity inside is highly visible upon arrival and late into the night when the library becomes a beacon glimpsed from paths in all directions. A courtyard situated at the building entrance provides shaded relief and acts as an extension of the commons with casual seating and outdoor study space.
The Munday Library at Saint Edward's University is a building we are very proud of, and its success is in no small way the result of Susan and her staff at Benz Resource Group. Their ability to anticipate issues long before they could turn into problems and to steer a path around them made all the difference. They were the perfect partner.
Bryan Irwin, Principal, Sasaki Associates
Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel
St. Edward's University, Austin, Texas
Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel is a simple wood framed 100 year old structure that was remodeled to infuse it with light, warm materials, improved comfort and elegance. The building was once a military barrack, a bowling alley and a machine shop before it was fashioned in to a chapel quite a number of years ago. The project’s task was to bring it back to its original beauty, improve the lighting and acoustics, install new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and to make an addition to provide office spaces for the Campus Ministry department.
Wood harvested from an old tree on site was used to build the altar and religious furnishings. The offices for the Campus Ministry were built as an addition connected by a glassy public space while outside, a new contemplative garden was created providing a place for the campus community for prayer and quiet reflection.
The chapel is the emotional center of our campus and this renovation solidified its place in our hearts. Benz Resource Group carefully orchestrated the work of architects and artisans to deliver a welcoming chapel and meditation garden that are beautiful, enduring and truly reflective of our Holy Cross heritage.
Dr. George Martin, President, St. Edward's University
Alumni Gym
St. Edward's University, Austin, Texas
The Alumni Gym was built by hand in 1950 by the Brothers of Holy Cross at a time when air conditioning was a luxury and so this 14,400 square foot brick structure had none, nor did it have insulation or waterproofing. The building exterior of Austin Common brick is an original campus standard and needed to remain therefore a new wall system with insulation and waterproofing was built inside the exterior walls. Tucked within this new envelope are mechanical ducting and storage faced with wood, keeping the feeling of the old but functioning in the present. Remodeling the existing locker and toilet rooms provided new offices and workout spaces. A new entry structure was added to better address the campus center and serves as an open porch for students to meet.
Benz Resource Group's project management is key to successful capital projects on St. Edward’s campus. Susan and her team know how to keep a project on time and on budget through careful planning, clear program objectives, and expert knowledge of the Austin construction market. Most importantly, Susan’s skill at translating the owner’s goals to the architect and construction team and finding creative solutions to challenges is unmatched.
Kim Kvaal, Vice President for Finance and Administration, St. Edward's University