Mulva Hall, The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin
With a vertical campus design, Mulva Hall will transform the way people connect at the McCombs School of Business. In contrast to the existing undergraduate business program—which is spread across three outdated buildings, with faculty disconnected from students—this new building gathers undergraduates, PhD students, academic departments, research centers, faculty offices, and the school’s administration under one roof.
Mulva Hall will shape the skyline of Austin as a landmark among landmarks, offering views of the beloved UT Tower, the campus’s original forty acres, and the Texas State Capitol. The design emphasizes porosity, transparency, connectivity, and wellness to capture and stimulate the youthful energy of an undergraduate education building. With modern teaching and convening spaces, it will continue to attract the best and brightest faculty and students, shaping the community of McCombs for generations to come. As a hub for industry partnerships, alumni engagement, leadership, and innovation, it bolsters UT’s motto: What starts here changes the world.
Respectful of the historic red-clay-tiled architecture at UT Austin while creating its own identity through a modern interpretation of traditional materials, Mulva Hall reflects the school’s forward-thinking ambition. Replacing an opaque parking garage on University Avenue, it leverages the visibility of the location with a striking 17-story building. A beacon drawing the business community together, Mulva Hall will bridge a dynamic city and first-class university, inviting deeper connections with the entrepreneurial spirit alive in Austin.
Aligned with McCombs’s strategic vision, Mulva Hall will foster greater community engagement. With prominent entrances on three sides, the permeable ground floor becomes a vibrant, light-filled Exchange, seamlessly linking the new building to the campus and city. It is flanked by a cafe, large learning auditorium, and generous plazas at each entrance that enhance this connectivity while extending the commons to the outdoors.
Mulva Hall rises at the intersection of business, university, and government. Consolidating the current programs housed across three 1970s buildings, this dynamic hub will empower students to tackle complex challenges through a multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach.
