The 35-foot bronze star outside the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is one of the most photographed sculptures in the state of Texas, and has become a favorite icon appearing in print, television and film as a symbol of Texas and the Texas Spirit.

 

Landscape Architect's role:

The landscape architect was given the charge of developing a forecourt that could accommodate large crowds of children and adults arriving to visit the museum. The landscape architect decided to go a step further by developing a focal point for the plaza and museum that would be a symbol of what the building represents, and proposed and created the concept for the Lone Star Sculpture as an iconic and symbolic gateway to the history of Texas. Though an addition to the original plaza design, the concept caught the imagination of the museum's design committee. The landscape architect then worked closely with engineers to assess the structural impact on a parking garage under the plaza. Finally, the plan won approval from the State Preservation Board, which included the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the State House of Representatives.

 

The design committee charged the landscape architect with determining how to build such a monumental work, the largest three-dimensional star in the world. After research and discussion with experts in bronze casting and welding, the team resolved to assemble a stainless steel frame and attach a skin of 3/8-inch bronze plate. The skin could then be textured and allowed to patina as desired.

 

The landscape architect developed construction documents with performance specifications for the1 Q-ton sculpture and issued a request for proposals from qualified foundries. After selecting a foundry, it fell to the landscape architect to work hand in hand with that foundry to construct, deliver and install the star in time for the museum's opening day. Due to ongoing construction of the plaza, the massive sculpture would have to be assembled off site, shipped in one piece and bolted into place at the last minute.

 

Successful resolution:

The landscape architect coordinated the star's construction, framework design, plaza site work and construction of the granite bases. One of the challenges the design team faced was to make a 35-foot-tall star that floated all five points. An internal A-frame provided the basic structure, made from 12-inch, square, stainless steel tubing with 1/2-inch-thick bronze plated walls. The frame bolted to a plate embedded into a massive concrete footing on concrete piers, and the bolts were then encased in concrete 24 inches high to provide needed lateral support.

 

A granite veneer over the concrete bases created seating and staging areas for photographs. The added height from the bases affords overhead clearance to protect the visually impaired, as specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Visitors may safely walk around or under and through the sculpture as a gateway.

 

Positioning the star was critical. The underground parking garage extended to within 30 feet of the curb, and the garage roof hadn't been engineered to carry a 10-ton sculpture. The star rests on an axis with the front of the museum's rotunda, in concert with the structure of the garage. The team carefully reviewed the position beforehand to ensure a photographer using a conventional camera could capture the star and museum without stepping off the curb into the street.

 

A truck and flatbed trailer carried the star to the museum under police escort early one Sunday in February, 2001. The 5-mile journey up Congress Avenue past the State Capitol took about four hours and generated state and national television news coverage. The sculpture traveled in a specially designed, foam-cushioned cradle. Two cranes hoisted the star from its reclining position in the cradle to its new concrete footing, where it was bolted in place in time for the museum's opening. The star formed the backdrop for the dedication of the museum by President George W. Bush in 2001.

 

Impact and significance:

The Lone Star is the most photographed and requested item for sculptural reproduction at the Texas State History Museum. The museum exceeded attendance expectations in its first year, and provides a much-needed tourist destination to complement the State Capitol. The Lone Star Plaza and Star provide the necessary cultural landmark befitting such a high-profile museum.