Black + Vernooy was commissioned in a joint venture with Alterstudio to design and prepare construction documents for the Texas Hillel Student Center at the University of Texas. Black & Vernooy provided design, project management, and technical coordination services as part of the joint venture.

The program for the center provides student activity space, worship space, and offices. On a daily basis, the center provides café-style gathering spaces, study spaces, and recreation and dining facilities for students. For prayer and high holy days, the center provides worship spaces that reflect the presence of the three movements of Judaism. The courtyard functions to allow expanded indoor/outdoor space for Texas Hillel’s many special events.

The demands for a high-quality facility within the restraints of the budget called for optimizing building-envelope components in conjunction with structural and mechanical systems.

The project is located just west of the University of Texas campus. The facility’s welcoming corner presence has created a new icon for the West Campus neighborhood.