The Austin Airport Hilton Hotel is a 262 room, four star quality, full service hotel located in an existing building at the entrance of the new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.  The existing building was originally used as the command and control center for Bergstrom Air Force Base.  The building is circular and contained 124,000 square feet on three floors with a large open courtyard in the center.

The design intent was to create a natural outdoor environment acknowledging both the natural beauty of the area’s hills and also recognizing the new hi-tech direction of the city.  This was accomplished by integrating a complex steel structural system with a natural environment of native stone, planting and water features.  Special lighting was incorporated to provide different settings.  The mood of the space can be altered to create a park-like atmosphere through general lighting or a more intimate atmosphere in smaller areas through the use of accent lighting.  A large mural highlighting Austin’s natural beauty was incorporated into an otherwise blank wall as a focal feature.