The architects were very smart — strategic in terms of demolition and editing out the head house, and exposing this joyous and wondrous structure. … It’s something that’s really magical.
— Dan Kaplan, FAIA

Location Austin
Client Cindy Lo and Scott Francis
Architect MAGIC Architecture
Design Team Scott Magic, AIA
Contractor DKC Construction Group
Structural Engineer Leap!
MEP Engineer Jordan & Skala

The Red Velvet Events Headquarters occupies a 1940s three-bay Quonset hut in North Austin. The primary goal of the design was to expose the ingenuity of the Quonset structure by removing decades of haphazard repairs and layers of roofing. Ten linear skylights diffuse daylight throughout the interior, and two window walls amplify the company’s branding message to thousands of drivers daily. Playful moments were essential to the design, as exemplified by the swings in the reception area, a large Corten steel jackalope outside, the use of vibrant colors, and domino wall tiles in the restrooms.

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