St. Andrew's Athletics Complex and Student Union

At St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Southwest Austin, athletics are more than an extracurricular pursuit — they're an essential pillar of development, with 80% of the K-12 community participating on at least one sports team. Highlander Hall, the new athletics complex and student union, ensures every grade has access to spaces that deepen a sense of inclusion, wellness and campus pride.

Developed as part of the school’s long-term comprehensive plan, the 56,000-square-foot building has become a unifying destination, one that embraces the athletic and student union experiences with state-of-the-art amenities and breakout areas for studying and socializing between classes. Athletic venues can be used not only for practices and regional tournaments but for game nights and community events as well. The wellness loop — a corridor joining the main lobby, first-floor gymnasium and union facilities — serves as a connective spine for environments that encourage engagement, curiosity and dialogue.

The two-story structure is nestled between the existing gymnasium, track, softball field and a detention pond, activating the eastern side of campus via a tree-lined promenade. Through visioning workshops with the school board and educators, LPA conceived an efficient, double-cantilevered form — making way for a two-court practice gymnasium and outdoor gathering spaces on the second floor. Together with the competition gymnasium, it holds three full-size courts, or six cross-courts.

The building’s two entrances speak to its multitudes. The north entry opens into the main lobby adjacent to the athletics hub while the south entry is adorned by The Legacy Oak Mural — an art piece created in collaboration with the student body that depicts the Legacy Oak on the school’s Central Austin campus.

Inside, there is a 4,000-square-foot fitness and weight room, a competition gym that seats more than 800 spectators, four locker rooms, a spirit shop and exhibition areas. Cheer and dance teams practice in a multipurpose space that doubles as a home for three golf simulators. Garage-style doors, meanwhile, open to a turf area for outdoor calisthenics and strength drills. Wide, minimally sloped sidewalks, gender-neutral changing rooms and a variety of designated loud and quiet spaces provide a welcoming environment for all.

Highlander Hall supports student well-being through both its programming and its sustainability strategies. The envelope — crafted from Texas Hill Country limestone and accented with dark trim and wood-like soffits composed of low-maintenance metal panels — references the region’s aesthetic. FSC-certified wood floors and recycled rubber sports flooring offer high-performance finishes, while polished concrete and laminate veneer wall panels contribute to overall durability. An advanced HVAC system improves air quality in the locker rooms.

Located in the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, the campus includes an extensive stormwater and water quality management system, with LPA’s landscape architects incorporating native and drought-tolerant plantings to reduce water demand. The building is conditioned with a four-pipe chilled-water and hot-water system. To reduce thermal heat gain and glare, windows are paired with roof overhangs. Combined with a solar-ready roof assembly, these strategies demonstrate how design can simultaneously support wellness and reduce long-term environmental impact.

Highlander Hall is a place for students, families and fans to connect and create lasting memories — a testament to the value of an integrated design process, strong relationships and a shared commitment to the school’s future.