College of Architecture Design Proposal
Spring 2018, Semester design concept for a new College of Architecture building for the University of Texas San Antonio's Downtown Campus. The imposing structure, taking after the area it was located in, set out to kickstart the future growth of the rundown zone on the edge of downtown San Antonio.
The design centered around trying to do away with the cheap imitation of Michael Graves, the old portion of the downtown campus was doing, while at the same time trying to not completely be alien to it. In addition I felt it should homage to the rundown older historic art deco architecture that was decaying a few blocks away, while at the same time going beyond, to signal a new rebirth of the west side of downtown San Antonio.
As such the design takes after the monumentality of the downtown campus at the street level but added mixed used development to enhance the drab pedestrian experience. In addition the giant cantilevered portion that houses design studios overhangs a rather ugly bridge and would likely overlook the new high speed rail transit center. This create an entry into downtown in a rather unique way for those who live on the westside. The cantilever also faces the design students towards the more interesting architectural sights so they are inspired during their studies.
The area, while rundown at the time, could be transformed to highlight the wonderful historic architecture that was slowly decaying in a seedy part of town waiting for restoration. As such, the design set out to be the first step towards using the opportunity that the site contained as a foundation for a better urban experience.
Presentation Design Board
Northeast Facade. The design, ushering the next stage of future growth in the area, needed to respond to various external factors, such as new rail station next door. Mixed use development would enhance the pedestrian experience that was missing.
This portion of facade was more traditional in design. The cantilevered portion housing studios faced the only interesting architecture in the area (The Historic
I&GN/MoPac Depot) hoping to inspire students. Blending the old with new.
The cantilevered area of the design was also in anticipation of a future train/ transit center. In addition it harkens to the San Antonio Convention Center on the opposite side of town with a similar cantilever design.
Southern Facade. This area would have connected to newly acquired land for the university and was designed to connect to this future development and so was much less traditional in design of facade.
An abstract roof design would cover a massive studio space for all architecture students to hopefully encourage collaboration
Southwest Facade. The abstract roof was meant to showcase architecture as a catalyst for change. As well as inspire students it could in theory create a new direction for the struggling area of downtown.
The building design can be split into three different areas as seen with the three differing roofs. Administrative (Right), Academic (Center), and Construction (Left).
Project would have housed underground parking. Sadly time constraints left this part of the project relatively unexplored and unfinished.
While the final design contains colors that homage the downtown campus, a muted color scheme was preferred.
Comparison of abstracted roof exploration atop final product.