The LBJ Library Plaza Renovation and Lady Bird Johnson Center provided a facelift and upgrades to the presidential library at the University of Texas at Austin.

Photo:Roy Mata

An important component of the project was to stop water infiltration into the auditorium and other areas of the building located below the main plaza. Water infiltration had been a constant problem since the building’s completion in 1971.

Cleaning and masonry repairs were performed on the 10-story library tower along with new exterior lighting to showcasethe architecturally iconic structures.

A new waterproofing system and new granite pavers were installed on the entire 108,000-sq-ft main plaza. Three reflecting pools on the plaza were replaced with stone and metal-clad planters to honor Lady Bird Johnson and her work to beautify Texas.

The 1,000-seat LBJ Auditorium below the plaza had extensive water damage, so general contractor/construction manager, Flintco, completely renovated the auditorium, modernizing the facility with new seating, acoustical finishes, lighting and audiovisual systems.

A new elevator was installed within the building along with new handicapped-accessible restrooms. An existing crawl space below the plaza was converted to 5,000 sq ft of new classroom space.

All work was performed while the library was open 364 days a year with an average of 20,000 visitors each month.

Key Players

Submitted by: Flintco Inc.
Developer/owner: University of Texas System Office of Facilities Planning and Construction, Austin
General contractor/construction manager: Flintco Inc., Austin
Architect: Overland Partners Architects, San Antonio
Civil engineer: Jose I. Guerra Inc., Austin
Structural engineer: Jaster-Quintanilla, Austin
MEP engineer: Goetting and Associates, Austin