CARTER•DESIGN ASSOCIATES as architectural subconsultant to Engineers designed the wall enclosure for the Shines Energy Storage Facility in the Mueller Redevelopment district. The facility will house large batteries to store solar energy off the grid for night time and cloudy day use. It is funded with federal grants that requires an educational installation.

The design is a curved CMU wall with rotated blocks creating an ever-changing shadow effect over the course of a day. The wall varies from 8-12 feet in height and contains a scattering of glass blocks creating interest from internal security lighting during the dark hours. It hosts a viewing area that while providing views of the equipment inside maintains security and safety requirements of Austin Energy. The project included review and coordination with the installation of the educational signage, and landscape plaza. The site slopes and will accommodate a large drainage swale for use until the surrounding property is developed and is coordinated to accommodate the future adjacent roadway.