The Holdsworth Center breaks ground on new Lake Austin campus

The Beck Group recently broke ground on the Holdsworth Center, the 44-acre, leadership institute that partners with public school districts in Texas to cultivate a pipeline of dynamic leaders so teachers thrive and students excel in the classroom.

When the center opens in the summer of 2020, it will provide a serene and contemplative setting for education leaders to learn, grow, collaborate, reflect and gather inspiration to take back to their districts.

The center was founded in January 2017 by H-E-B CEO and Chairman Charles Butt.

“Charles’ vision is to create a transformative environment for public education leaders­ – something created specifically with their needs in mind. It is designed to be a place they can be proud of and call their own,” said Kate Rogers, President of The Holdsworth Center.

Beck is the construction manager for the project. It is designed by Lake Flato Architects and Ten Eyck Landscape Architects.

“We are excited to be part of this project because we know the value this campus provides,” said Peter Beck, executive chairman of The Beck Group. “Its position along the shoreline of Lake Austin makes the Holdsworth Center site unique. We are working closely with our project partners to preserving its beauty.”

The heart of the campus features a commons and natural meadow, with most of the 16 new buildings surrounding the commons. The main pedestrian walkway connects all of the buildings for easy access.

The central learning center features a 300-capacity event room, lounge and full-service kitchen, as well as interactive classrooms and seminar spaces. A library will house a book collection on education and video screens will display TED-type talks about Holdsworth participant experiences.

The 180-room residential village can accommodate participants for overnight stays. Nearby, three small casitas tucked against the hillside under the canopy of trees along the lake’s edge will house guest lecturers and visiting faculty.

Down by the water, a social hub with outdoor decks and a screened-in porch will provide space for mixing and mingling after daily activities, as well as outdoor games such as ladder golf, washers and horseshoes.  A smaller, open-air pavilion will host outdoor talks and lectures. On the lake’s edge, an old dock will transform into an outdoor, two-story classroom.