Whitcomb Art Center Wins Fifth Award for Innovative Design

The Texas Society of Architects (TxA) has named the Whitcomb Art Center one of its 2019 Texas Design Award winners—the state’s highest honor for exemplary architectural design. Among the 28 honorees, Knox’s newest academic building is one of only three buildings located outside Texas.  

It’s just the latest in a string of accolades for the Whitcomb Art Center, which also include:

• 2018 American Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies
• 2018 Metal Architecture Design Award from Metal Architecture magazine
• 2017 Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, San Antonio chapter
• 2017 “Master Builder of the Year” from Star Building Systems for general contractor P.J. Hoerr of Peoria

The art center also earned LEED Gold certification in 2018 for its energy-efficient design—one of two buildings on the Knox campus, including the renovated Alumni Hall, to receive that rating.  

The $8.6 million art facility was designed by Lake|Flato Architects of San Antonio, Texas. It is named in honor of Dick '57 and Joan Whitcomb '56. Their lead gift, along with gifts from more than 160 other donors, funded construction of the technologically sophisticated building. 

“The art center is a remarkable space that inspires creation and innovation,” said Knox President Teresa Amott. “In the past year, we’ve seen an encouraging increase in applications from students interested in pursuing degrees in art, design, and art history who are excited by the resources we offer here.”

• More photos at the Whitcomb Art Center
• Whitcomb Art Center construction and dedication