Centex will begin work in April at 823 Congress Ave. and is slated to deliver the finished product in 2003. New York City's premier Gluckman Mayner Architects has designed the facility, which boasts 25,000 sf of gallery, garden and education space. Austin's Land Design has secured the landscape architect award, GlobeSt.com has been told. The project takes up a full city block.

Gluckman Mayner's design also incorporates a 300-seat lecture and film theater and hands-on children's gallery. The museum will be built of cast-in-place concrete, clefted limestone, stainless steel, wood and leather. The building, featuring an extensive skylight system, overlooks a museum plaza and Republic Square park, with views of the state capitol building and the downtown.

Centex will provide preconstruction and construction services, with portions being subcontracted. Assisting in the project is Herndon, Stauch and Associates. Centex's Bob Lemke will serve as senior project manager.