The Hogg Memorial Auditorium received a city preservation award for restoration after a two-year renovation, the School of Architecture announced on Oct. 24.
Preservation Austin, a nonprofit advocating for the preservation of historic places in the city, gave out the awards. The organization will host the 64th Annual Preservation Merit Awards Celebration on Nov. 12, where they will honor all recipients of the restoration awards. Rosa Fry, programs manager for Preservation Austin, said the event is a way to thank preservationists in the city who may not get recognition from traditional sources.
“Our jury was really excited to honor this restoration project because it sets a really wonderful example for the University of Texas in terms of encouraging them with this award to continue to invest in and preserve the historically significant buildings on campus,” Fry said.
According to University Unions, the Hogg Memorial Auditorium dates back to 1933 and was designed by Paul Cret, who also designed the Main Tower. University preservation planner Kim Barker said that some of these older buildings are approaching the need for renovations.
“It’s more important to keep a building having a function than it is to create a sort of a museum object that you just look at from afar,” Barker said. “So there’s always a kind of conversation or spectrum where you can select appropriate choices in order to keep the building in proper use.”
James Buckley, director of facilities and operations for University Unions, said the auditorium was not in good shape before the restorations.
“Our focus is on the students and having a facility that they can use, that they can showcase their talents,” Buckley said “We’re here to serve the students, and to have a space that has the modern amenities, has modern capabilities from a technical standpoint, and is also safe to use right for everybody.”
Jim Walker, director of sustainability for the University, said Hogg Memorial’s restoration required “extra attention and detail.”
“We’re very proud of the Hogg design team, the construction team, the leadership of University Unions and (the Division of) Student Affairs,” Walker said. “All those folks were in on this restoration.”
