ACC Highland Campus Phase 2 Earns Prestigious 2026 ULI Americas Award for Excellence

A sunny day at Austin Community College, featuring a wide pathway leading to the entrance of the campus. Students walk along the path, surrounded by modern architecture and greenery. A large sign reading "Austin Community College" is prominently displayed above the entrance, with a unique geometric structure visible on the right.

Austin Community College District’s (ACC) Highland Campus Phase 2 has been recognized with one of the highest honors in architecture, planning, and urban development. The Urban Land Institute (ULI) named the project one of just nine recipients of its 2026 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence, selected from projects across the United States and Canada.

The award celebrates developments that demonstrate excellence in design, sustainability, community engagement, economic impact, and innovation.

Highland Phase 2, designed by Perkins&Will and BGK Architects, transformed more than 420,000 square feet of the former Highland Mall into a modern learning environment that prepares students for high-demand careers while serving as a community destination.

An aerial view of a large outdoor gathering in a modern courtyard. Numerous tables are filled with people engaged in conversation and dining. The setting features contemporary architecture with tall pillars and large windows. In the background, there are trees and a sunset sky, creating a warm atmosphere. Some people are using laptops, while others are enjoying food and drinks. The scene conveys a lively and social environment.

A group of students is engaged in a collaborative learning environment in an outdoor courtyard. Some students are seated at tables, working on laptops and discussing, while others are gathered around a whiteboard where one student is presenting. The setting features modern architecture with large glass windows and a concrete structure, creating a bright and open atmosphere. Pebbles are arranged in a decorative manner in the foreground.

Alt text: A modern kitchen with several culinary students in white chef uniforms and hats working at stainless steel tables. One student is mixing ingredients in a bowl, while another is pouring batter into cake pans. Various baking tools and ingredients, including bowls and measuring cups, are spread across the tables. Large windows provide natural light, and kitchen equipment is visible in the background.

“Receiving the ULI Americas Award for Excellence is an extraordinary honor and a testament to the shared vision and dedication of everyone involved in Highland Phase 2,” says Aziz Hussaini, Associate Vice Chancellor of Campus Planning, Construction and Sustainability for ACC. “Austin Community College set out to create more than a campus expansion. We sought to establish a vibrant, inclusive destination that advances education, workforce development, and community connection. This recognition underscores the transformative impact that thoughtful design and strong partnerships can have in creating places that serve both current and future generations.”

The Highland Campus supports programs in health sciences, advanced manufacturing, digital media, creative arts, and other high-demand fields. The LEED Gold-certified project also introduced new public gathering spaces, including the campus paseo, a student-run restaurant, an art gallery, and performance venues that strengthen connections between the College and the Central Texas community.

A young woman with glasses and long hair, wearing an orange hoodie, is operating a CNC machine in a workshop. She is focused on the control panel, which features various buttons and switches. The workshop is well-lit with large windows in the background, showcasing a bright and modern environment. Worktables and tools are visible in the space around her.

A medical simulation room is depicted, viewed through a large glass window. Inside, two healthcare professionals in scrubs are attending to a patient lying on a hospital bed. One is performing a procedure while the other assists. In the foreground, a person wearing a white lab coat and headphones is seated at a desk with multiple computer screens, monitoring the situation. The room is equipped with medical equipment and displays showing vital signs.

The ULI Americas Awards for Excellence have recognized outstanding real estate developments since 1979 and are considered among the industry’s most prestigious honors. Winners are selected by a multidisciplinary jury of experts in development, architecture, planning, finance, landscape architecture, and urban design.

For more information, visit austincc.edu/highland.

Tags: award, construction, Highland Campus, ULI, Urban Land Institute

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