One hundred years ago, in 1916, The Austin Company began design and construction on its first of many aircraft assembly plants – the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company plant in Buffalo, N.Y. This was just the beginning of a long list of innovative and successfully designed and constructed complex aircraft facilities that were often completed on a fast-track basis.
Austin’s many innovations along the way contributed to the success of our clients by enabling them to operate in more efficient environments, optimize the flexibility of their operations, and meet aggressive schedules. Austin architects, engineers, and constructors devised many innovations for the aviation sector since its inception, such as bi-fold hangar doors, metal-saving fiberglass wall panels for WWII bomber plants, induced airflows to improve ventilation in large plants, rolling work platforms to speed schedules, and more.
It is a proud history. We like to say that Austin has aviation in our DNA. While Samuel Austin was our founder and established high standards of ethics, values, and quality in our work, his son Wilbert was the innovator and visionary for aviation. Tragically, Wilbert died in a plane crash in Chicago in 1940, but by then, the DNA was well established.
Austin has held a formative role in this dynamic industry: airplanes, airports, engines, hangars, flight kitchens, cargo facilities, rockets, satellites. We have created these facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Italy, Australia, Greece, UK, Japan, and other locations.
In 100 years, manned flight has evolved from single engine bi-planes to supersonic travel, satellites, and space tourism. Design and construction has gone from pencils, linen, and slide rules to lasers, GPS, and integrated software platforms. Some things remain constant, however; a passion for this industry, an excitement toward how this market inspires and challenges us to innovate and achieve higher goals, and an appreciation of how this market drives us to technical excellence. This is where the DNA shows up, and it carries over into every market and industry we serve.
This historical timeline highlights some of the many aviation and aerospace projects Austin has completed over the past 100 years. It is a proud legacy that we carry on in our daily work.
Learn more at: http://www.theaustin.com/aerospace-defense-aviation
Related Stories
Sponsored | Airports | Jun 5, 2015
Exposed glulam framework offers quiet complement to Jackson Hole airport’s mountain backdrop
A three-phase expansion and renovation, which began in 2009, nearly doubled the size of the aviation hub; the only one located in a national park
Airports | Apr 21, 2015
Trends driving airport construction
Upgrades to aviation infrastructure have not kept pace with the increase in airport traffic or even at a level sufficient to accommodate the life cycle of our many dated terminal facilities. Until now.
Airports | Feb 6, 2015
Zaha Hadid-designed terminal in Beijing will be world’s largest
The terminal will accommodate 45 million passengers per year, and will be a hub for both air and rail travel.
| Jan 2, 2015
Construction put in place enjoyed healthy gains in 2014
Construction consultant FMI foresees—with some caveats—continuing growth in the office, lodging, and manufacturing sectors. But funding uncertainties raise red flags in education and healthcare.
BIM and Information Technology | Dec 28, 2014
The Big Data revolution: How data-driven design is transforming project planning
There are literally hundreds of applications for deep analytics in planning and design projects, not to mention the many benefits for construction teams, building owners, and facility managers. We profile some early successful applications.
| Dec 28, 2014
AIA course: Enhancing interior comfort while improving overall building efficacy
Providing more comfortable conditions to building occupants has become a top priority in today’s interior designs. This course is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Dec 28, 2014
The future of airport terminal design: destination status, five-star amenities, stress-free travel
Taking a cue from the hospitality industry, airport executives are seeking to make their facilities feel more like destinations, writes HOK's Richard Gammon.
| Dec 15, 2014
HOK-designed Anaheim Regional transit hub opens, expected to serve three million per year
ARTIC’s flexible design ensures that it can serve as a southern terminus for California’s future high-speed rail system.
| Dec 8, 2014
Moshe Safdie wants to reinvent airports with Jewel Changi Airport addition
A new addition to Singapore's Changi Airport, designed by Moshe Safdie, will feature a waterfall and extensive indoor gardens.
| Nov 19, 2014
The evolution of airport design and construction [infographic]
Safety, consumer demand, and the new economics of flight are three of the major factors shaping how airlines and airport officials are approaching the need for upgrades and renovations, writes Skanska USA's MacAdam Glinn.