Skip to content
Contact Latest News

Remembering Al York, FAIA, RID

It is with deep sadness that McKinney York Architects shares the news of the passing of our Principal, Al York, FAIA, RID. Over the course of three decades, Al’s leadership has had a profound impact on the growth and identity of McKinney York Architects. His simple, thought-provoking approach to architecture exposes the underlying grace of the ordinary, revealing beauty within familiar situations. As a distinguished leader and advocate in the design community, Al was a celebrated architect, cherished friend, and beloved mentor.

Al’s loss is felt profoundly by the countless lives he has touched. He spent his career pushing others forward, offering calm wisdom and unwavering generosity to all. Al leaves behind a lasting legacy of design that reflects his belief in architecture’s power to engage the mind, touch the heart, and elevate the human experience. He will be sincerely missed.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rawson Saunders School Al York Fund, or the McKinney York Architects Scholarship at The University of Texas at Austin.

Photo: Al seated in the iconic breezeway of one of his recently completed works, Inks Lake State Park Headquarters Building for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

___________________________________________________

Hogg Memorial Auditorium wins 2025 American Architecture Awards for Restoration/Renovation!

McKinney York Architects is honored to be recognized by the Austin Business Journal as one of Austin’s Top 30 Fastest-Growing Companies.

Hogg Memorial Auditorium wins Preservation Texas 2025 Honor Award for Historic Rehabilitation!

 

McKinney York Architects is honored to be included in the Austin Business Journal’s list of the Women-Owned Businesses.

McKinney York Architects and Landmarks celebrate the groundbreaking of the College of Education Entry Renovation & Art Installation!

McKinney York Architects joins SOM-led Team to Design New Arrivals and Departures Hall at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Photograph of existing facilities by © Ken Griffith

Photograph of existing facilities by © Ken Griffith

McKinney York Architects is recognized by the Zweig Group as one of the Best Firms to Work For 2025!

 

Austin ISD Sánchez Elementary School featured on America ByDesign!

Writer’s Retreat wins HBA Max Award for Custom Home/Project Design, 2025!

Bookshelf's surrounding the central window of a white room.

Texas Facilities Commission, Groundbreaking for a new Archival and Records Storage Facility

St. Julian of Norwich Parish Hall wins Outstanding Construction Award, Associated General Contractors’, 2024!

We are excited to announce the elevation of Navvab Taylor, AIA, RID, LEED AP BD+C to Associate Principal and Lauren Gamboa to Associate. Navvab exhibits design excellence and employs strong communication and project management skills to build and maintain rewarding client relationships. She is a champion for sustainable design and will serve as the firm’s Sustainability Leader, working collaboratively with clients to develop environmentally responsible solutions and ensuring the firm’s practices align with rigorous standards. Lauren demonstrates skillful management of the marketing department and a remarkable ability to execute with precision, creativity, and efficiency. Her expertise and attention to detail has driven successful campaigns and streamlined the firm’s marketing processes. We value the leadership and knowledge of these team members and are thrilled to spotlight their advancement!

Looking Back at 2024…

AIA Austin WiA Profiles 2024 featuring our Associate Navvab Taylor!

Hogg Memorial Auditorium achieves LEED Platinum Certification!

View along curved rows of seats in an auditorium, facing a series of windows.

AISD Sánchez Elementary School wins TxA Design Award 2024!

straight on view of stairway that also functions as a social gathering space in elementary school, books are displayed on the levels and children and teachers are in the foreground

Comedor wins AIA Austin Design Award of Merit 2024!

People seated at bar and high tables of a nice restaurant.

River Ranch County Park wins a Texas Travel Award  and gets featured in Parks and Recreation Business Magazine! Have you been there yet?

Outdoor pavilion in a field of wildflowers.

 

Back to Top

Central Chilling Station No. 6

scroll View Project Description
  • Facade of a brick university building.
  • Small walkway of a university campus.
  • The rooftops of university buildings.
  • A light shadowing structure build into wall of a large brick college building.
  • Industrial central chilling station of a building complex.
  • Large mechanicals systems outside of a building.
  • Roof a chilling station with a view to the University of Texas Tower.

Project Details

Facing growing demand for chilled water and the demolition of an aging chilling plant, the Utilities Department commissioned this new 15,000 ton Station No. 6. The need for proximity to the existing distribution network left No. 6 situated in the tight confines of the central campus, constrained on all sides by existing buildings, by a network of tunnels below, and by height restrictions above. The building balances equipment, security, and personnel requirements with a pedestrian-friendly exterior that adheres to the campus master plan. The design places the human-scaled program elements along the western face of the building which fronts courtyards at both ends. The brise soleil window wall of the office wing serves as counterpoint to the simple limestone and brick enclosure of the rest of the structure. In an allusion to the cooling effects of wind and rain the inverted pyramidal copper roof opens upward to the sky.

Publication: Texas Architect, Winter 2009

Sustainability: As of February 2011, this plant was the most energy-efficient chilling plant in the nation.  No. 6 alone reduced the Kilowatts per ton consumption across the entire campus (a total of four chilling stations) by over 18%.  The make-up water for this system is captured from a variety of campus sources, including foundation drains, swimming pools, and condensers. This allows the system to operate with very little need for domestic water.

Publication

  • Texas Architect, Efficient Infill, Winter 2009

You Are Exiting Our Website

McKinney York Architects is committed to making our website accessible to all individuals with disabilities. Our website may link to or incorporate third-party websites and resources which are not owned or controlled by McKinney York Architects. McKinney York Architects is not responsible for the accessibility of third-party content, and we shall not be liable if the content is inaccessible to individuals with disabilities.

Proceed to External Website Return to MckinneyYork.com