As part of the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) Capitol Complex master plan, TFC wanted to consolidate its leased office space into state-owned buildings at the Capitol Complex. Ensight Haynes Whaley (EHW) served as Master Engineer for the overall master planning project and Engineer of Record for several of the individual construction packages included under the plan, including a new 12-story, 420,000 sf. office building at 1601 Congress. The ground level includes a café, wellness center, conference center, and a dedicated childcare facility for state employees. A 5-level sub-surface parking garage will accommodate 286 cars, and be tied into the adjacent garage for improved vehicular access.

EHW designed a conventionally reinforced concrete pan joist structure with post-tensioned girders for the office building for future flexibility and to meet the demands of a 100-year life span. The garage structural system utilized concrete flat-plate, conventionally reinforced slabs. The garage design required additional coordination in order to adequately support the utilities of the surrounding facilities.