A local interior design firm has unveiled the finishing touches on Austin PBS’s new headquarters. The station behind iconic TV programs like Austin City Limits needed a timeless space fit for its musical prestige.

The city’s nonprofit TV station opened its new headquarters within Austin Community College’s Highland campus in 2022, before the space was fully finished. Britt Design Group recently wrapped up the final stages of the project.

Six decades into the KLUR station's history, Austin PBS moved it from the University of Texas into a new 45,000-square-foot space, dubbed the Austin Media Center. The headquarters features a three-story atrium with an event space, the Pfluger Keller Community Soundstage, additional studio space for ACC’s public access channel, and conference rooms.

Britt Design Group blended design elements to reflect the studio’s legacy of education and entertainment and the city’s love of live music. The design firm, founded in 2002 by Laura Britt, specializes in luxury residential, hospitality, and commercial spaces ranging from private estates to mixed-use developments.

In the lobby, Britt Design Group added customized modular furniture that’s easily removable to transition from everyday operations to large events. A trophy wall, made in collaboration with local design agency Asterisk, features a “Welcome to the Neighborhood” sign integrated into wood paneling.

This trophy wall greets visitors.Photo by Avery Rubeck

On the more private side, the station’s new green room includes a custom millwork wall displaying Austin City Limits taping recordings and a curated record collection. The room is decorated with archival photography and signed guitars to embrace the Live Music Capital of the World title.

Guests can throw their favorite vinyl on a custom record console by ATX Record Player’s Shea Henning, combining a Thorens 1500 Turntable, a Tonehaus Custom Tube 40-watt Amplifier, and JBL speakers. The Green Room hosts VIP guests taping in Studio 6A, or anyone prepping for productions, events, or even board meetings.

The Austin Media Center's green room features a custom record player and signed guitars.Photo by Avery Rubeck

Britt Design Group wanted to create distinct personalities for the two dressing rooms. One features a rock & roll theme that evokes ACL’s history. The other is more playful, embodying PBS programming with vibrant colors.

“One is more buttoned-up and business-focused, so if you’re visiting for a taping of ‘Overheard with Evan Smith,’ you can use that dressing room,” said Britt. “The other is more light-hearted and inspired by fun programs, like ‘Clifford The Big Red Dog’ and ‘Sesame Street.’”

The new headquarters features two dressing rooms, one with a rock & roll theme.Photo by Avery Rubeck

Every piece of the design is carefully thought out. Even the bathrooms feature "On Air" signs that turn on when a stall is occupied.

The other dressing room has a bit more energy through brighter colors.Photo by Avery Rubeck

For the archive room, Britt Design Group worked closely with the archivist to select custom-framed images that showcase Austin PBS and ACL’s storied histories, including 50 years of live music and a look at KLRU’s founding in 1967. It displays a vast array of archival materials while also serving as a tour space for visitors and an active working space for archivists.

Austin PBS's new archive room by Britt Design Group Photo by Avery Rubeck

“[The Britt Design Group’s] ability to take our vision for our green room and our archive room was more than anyone could have ever dreamed of,” said PBS Austin CEO and president Luis Patiño in a statement. “The white glove treatment and project management was helpful, especially for a smaller organization. The proof is in the final product. There is not one person who is not mesmerized by our renovations and design work. Honestly, there is no swankier green room in Austin!"

The green room's centerpiece is this custom record console.Photo by Avery Rubeck

If Austinites want to catch a glimpse of the reimagined headquarters in person, they're invited to any of the station’s upcoming events:

• Thirst for Power by Mat Hames — Screening May 20 at Austin PBS
  • Filmmaker Mat Hames embarks on a global journey with renowned author and professor Dr. Michael E. Webber. Together, they uncover the often-overlooked links between energy and water, offering a thought-provoking exploration of how these forces shape our past, present, and future.
• The American Revolution by Ken Burns — Screening June 4 at the LBJ Library, presented by Austin PBS
  • On June 4, visit the LBJ Library for a preview of PBS' upcoming series, The American Revolution, premiering this November.
• Austin PBS Family Festival, June 7 at Austin PBS
  • Join Austin PBS at the 2025 Family Festival, featuring Grammy Award winner Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats.