Veterans Affairs Austin Hub: Where High Tech Meets Human-Centered Design
The U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) Austin Information Technology Center (AITC) is a workplace, VA staff and veteran hub, and data center facility. The AITC houses one of the VA’s largest core data centers, supporting veteran claims and applications, critical missions, and IT applications for VA medical centers across the country.
Cushing Terrell was tasked with 13 projects at the AITC, encompassing nearly every system and space within the building. The projects included significant engineering work to add electrical connectivity and reliability for 24/7 operations and to modernize the mechanical systems. Additionally, our team worked to renovate the offices and workspaces to enhance the user experience. Areas throughout the building were upgraded for appropriate space accommodations and designed for increased functionality, privacy, ease-of-use, and comfort for all who utilize the center.
Download of the Projects
A substantial facility, the AITC totals more than 250,000 square feet. Original studies to address the building needs began in 2019 with design completion in April 2025. Construction stages for the project will continue through 2026 with final construction completion planned for 2027.
Overall, the full scope of the project encompassed the renovation, creation, and/or upgrade of the following:
- A command center, telecommunications room, imaging center, staging center, mail room, and loading dock;
- The building entryway (with check-in, scanning, guard post, and waiting rooms), executive suites, open office spaces and conference rooms, breakrooms, cafeteria and kitchenettes, refreshed patio, and restrooms;
- A staff library, human resources suite, personal identity verification suite, and an expanded security office; and
- Renovation of the center’s electrical system and the addition of a chilled water system to ensure a constant supply of water to the data center’s cooling system.
For the entryway redesign, the existing soffit above the security checkpoint was replaced with an archway that is clad in a wood veneer wallcovering finish, which is continuous to the walls below and creates a grand two-story entrance to the building. The design also features hot-rolled-steel archways at three locations in the entry area to designate the major access points to the departments.
Sparking Success for the VA, from the Sockets Up
To support the needs of veterans across the country as well as around-the-clock data access, our Cushing Terrell team overhauled the entire AITC electrical system. The primary purpose of the electrical project was to enhance functionality and create redundancy. As the center houses critical data, it needed multiple layers of electrical capability in case of power outages or unforeseen technology issues.
The power system was redesigned on a plan that connects to multiple power sources within Austin, meaning if one substation were to fail for any reason, the power would be pulled from a different source within the city and the data center would continue to operate — this is in addition to a generator and uninterruptable power supply capabilities.
Our team conducted a thorough electrical study of the AITC’s power program and redesigned part of the power system in accordance with the Uptime Institute standards for a Tier 3 data center. Uptime Institute is the ultimate authority in digital infrastructure performance standards, and according to their tier categorization, an N rating consist of the minimum required tools for an IT system to operate. The next tier is N+1 and so on. For the AITC, Cushing Terrell designed at a level N+2 rating, meaning the minimum required tools needed to operate, plus two backups.
Protecting Big Data via Chilled Water Looping
Data is accessed and stored at the AITC on a massive scale. The data center is required to operate on a 24/7 basis while maintaining 99.999% availability for all IT systems. Thus, for a second act of redundancy, our engineering team designed an expansion of the water-cooled central plant to keep the tech operating at full capacity constantly.
The team designed a chilled water system to provide N+2 cooling for the data center, which, as stated above, entails everything necessary for proper IT functionality, plus two separate backup options. The project also included installation of computer room air handlers that use chilled water to reduce the amount of electrical power needed to operate the data center.
With the AITC’s reliance on having a 24/7 water source, Cushing Terrell also investigated backup water sources as part of a feasibility study. The study included the potential of adding a water tower, an on-site deep-water well, and a second water connection.
Data is accessed and stored at the AITC on a massive scale. The data center is required to operate on a 24/7 basis while maintaining 99.999% availability for all IT systems. Thus, for a second act of redundancy, our engineering team designed an expansion of the water-cooled central plant to keep the tech operating at full capacity constantly.
Elevating the VA with Style and Functionality
From an interior design perspective, our team paid special attention to creating spaces where local in-office staff and teams from across the country could come together and collaborate on projects.
Designers incorporated the vibrant culture of Austin, with colors and textures that are unique in a federal space. The use of glass and metal, mixed with the energetic color palette, produced a warm and welcoming space. The design also took full advantage of large, existing windows to create open, light-filled interior spaces in which demountable glass partitions were utilized wherever possible.
The same treatment was applied to the building’s entryway, executive suites, open office spaces, waiting rooms, and shared areas such as cafeterias, breakrooms, and restrooms to offer the most inviting experience possible for VA visitors and staff.
In the office areas, special attention was paid to power routing, spatial needs, and work-style flexibility. By incorporating various types of gathering spaces — conference rooms, lounge spaces, and customizable tables — the renovation creates opportunities for community and collaboration, as well as focused work. Movable furniture, implied zones, and sliding doors all contribute to balanced functionality.
Additionally, the project included modifications to the existing HVAC and fire protection systems, all to ensure a comfortable environment with improved air quality and life-safety infrastructure. The result: A highly functional, reliable, and comfortable workplace that meets operational needs, and anticipates the need for resiliency.
Designers incorporated the vibrant culture of Austin, with colors and textures that are unique in a federal space. The use of glass and metal, mixed with the energetic color palette, produced a warm and welcoming space. The design also took full advantage of large, existing windows to create open, light-filled interior spaces in which demountable glass partitions were utilized wherever possible.
