AUSTIN, TX — Del Valle Independent School District (ISD), in collaboration with Pfluger Architects and American Constructors, recently began construction on a new high school to add capacity and expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in a quickly growing district. Once completed in August 2027, the buildings — main academic building, field house, concession, and baseball/softball facilities — will total 473,338 square feet. The new facilities will house various innovative programs that prepare students for careers after graduation, especially in the area’s rapidly expanding tech, robotics, and manufacturing industries.
Designed by Pfluger Architects, the new school will feature a façade, experiential learning spaces, and outdoor learning environments. Situated in southeast Travis County, Del Valle ISD is adjacent to a growing tech and manufacturing industry along State Highway 130, spurring rapid population growth in the district. The new high school is being built by American Constructors on a 78-acre site in Whisper Valley, a $2 billion green master-planned community in East Austin that will eventually have 7,500 net-zero homes — the country's only affordable and sustainable community of this size.
The new building will use a geothermal energy system and is solar-ready — an energy-conscious design compatible with Whisper Valley’s focus on environmental responsibility. Additionally, condensation from the HVAC system will be collected and reused on site for irrigation, reducing water demand on city infrastructure. Pfluger sourced local and naturally occurring materials for the structure, including Texas limestone and locally manufactured brick. The building layout is shaped around open courtyards and promenades that give all classrooms natural light and outdoor views. The library has a balcony that opens to the courtyard, offering students a place to spend time outdoors.
“Central to the whole design is the Learning Courtyard that creates both visual and physical connections — encouraging interaction and supporting a sense of belonging across campus,” said Heather Rule, Senior Project Manager with Pfluger Architects. “The design was inspired by vibrant city centers where people naturally gather, connect, and learn from one another. This vision aligns with the diverse Del Valle community and reflects a desire to create a welcoming environment where different cultures, experiences, and voices are celebrated equitably.”
Athletics and fine arts spaces that can be accessed by the community are separate from the academic areas, making them easy to find and keeping the building safe and secure for student learning. New athletics facilities, including a field house, concession, open-air multipurpose building, and baseball and softball fields are equitable to those at Del Valle High School. Flexible, experiential learning areas ensure the district’s CTE programs are available to students at both high school campuses, while adding a new cosmetology program. Inside the building, patterns were inspired by textiles from around the world, chosen carefully to feel familiar without being too specific, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of the students who will use the space.
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“Equity was a driving factor in the campus design, ensuring the new school offers the same learning opportunities as the existing high school,” said Christian Owens, Principal Design Director at Pfluger Architects. “The new Del Valle high school facility brings vibrancy to the community, offering diverse educational spaces, and serving as a cornerstone by providing opportunities and experiences for future students.”
The new high school is part of the district’s 2022 bond, supported by the community to address overcrowding at the 25-year-old Del Valle High School campus, which is operating 800 students beyond its intended capacity. The bond also funded the purchase of the land for the second high school and another site in Whisper Valley that will house a future elementary and middle school. The district is currently in the process of selecting a name, and a committee will make a recommendation to the school board this fall.
“What you'll see in this new building is that it's every bit as equitable as Del Valle High School’s amenities and programs,” Superintendent Dr. Matthew Gutierrez said. “This is going to be a world-class facility where students have access to a wealth of educational and real-world opportunities that prepare them for success following graduation.”
Renderings courtesy of Pfluger Architects
