Rising 400 feet over downtown Austin, 600 Congress is a 32-story postmodern skyscraper that has defined the city’s skyline since the 1980s. Once the tallest building in Austin, it now stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and architectural evolution. The building has undergone a comprehensive renovation led by Beacon Capital Partners and Lake | Flato Architects, bringing it’s historic charm to a contemporary place.
As part of a bold reimagining of the iconic 600 Congress building in downtown Austin, Beacon Capital Partners worked with CoCollect to commission a site-specific sound sculpture by artist Steve Parker. The project celebrates Austin’s deep musical roots while ushering in a new era of creativity and community for this landmark space.
The artwork—titled “New Furniture Music”—sits at the heart of the building in a circular entry space and activates every hour, on the hour, like a contemporary bell tower. Made from salvaged instrument parts, the sculpture is a meditation on transformation: repurposing the old into something beautifully new, just as the building itself has been reborn.
Referencing composer Erik Satie’s early ambient music (intended to shape the mood of a space rather than command attention), the piece offers moments of calm and curiosity to tenants. Already receiving glowing feedback from tenants, the installation is inspiring further ideas for community engagement—inviting people not just to listen, but to take part.
It’s worth a look and a listen in person at 600 Congress Avenue in downtown Austin.
Interested in commissioning a bespoke artwork for your building or office space? Reach out at info@cocollect.art. We’d love to hear from you.
