This humanities research library and museum at the University of Texas at Austin is one of the world’s finest cultural archives. A 40,000-square-foot renovation transformed the once fortress-like facility into spaces filled with light and open to the outdoors. The design created new exhibit spaces, a 125-seat theater, meeting rooms, and research areas within the building’s existing framework. The ground floor public spaces, formerly hidden behind the windowless facade, are now visible through glass walls etched with images and text from the museum’s collection.