AUSTIN, Texas—In the company of such notable structures as the Empire State Building, the White House and the Washington National Cathedral, Battle Hall at The University of Texas at Austin has been designated as one of America’s Top 150 Favorite Works of Architecture by The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The AIA, in celebration of its 150th anniversary, surveyed 1,804 randomly selected Americans to compile the list. Participants chose from a list of 248 structures that were pre-selected by an AIA panel. The structures were divided into numerous categories including famous homes, public buildings, sports arenas, transportation hubs and office buildings.
"This poll of America’s Favorite Architecture confirms that architecture resonates with people," said RK Stewart, FAIA, 2007 AIA president. "The choice of the Empire State Building shows that when you ask people to select their favorites, they chose buildings and designs that symbolized innovation and the spirit of their community—but also, more importantly—they chose structures that hold a place in their hearts and minds."
Battle Hall, designed in 1911 by the New York architect, Cass Gilbert, is one of several buildings on campus listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Gilbert, who held the position of university architect in 1909-1922, adopted a Spanish-Mediterranean revival style to best suit the image of the fledgling university as well as the Texas climate. The style became the model for future buildings on campus, including Sutton Hall (1918), Gilbert’s only other structure at the university. The building, originally intended to be the University Library, houses the Architecture and Planning Library and offices for the School of Architecture.
View the list of the nation’s Top 150 Favorite Works of Architecture and add a personal narrative to any of the structures listed.
For more information contact: Amy Maverick Crossette, School of Architecture, 512-573-1078.
