A New Campus for Texas A&M University: Crafting A Unique San Antonio Identity

In developing a master plan for the first satellite campus for top-tier Texas A&M, we hoped to foster a strong sense of primary local identity, cultural pride, and vibrant campus life. Since inception in 2010, a unique sense of place has taken shape at the school, reinforced by a cohesive architectural expression. The fast-growing student body now takes part in a lively campus culture that is unique to TAMU-San Antonio, with a campus plan rooted in local tradition.

Our development plan incorporates a Core Campus District Plan for the main building and surrounding core campus development (funded, immediate-priority core campus buildings), as well as phased future construction across the entire campus development site.

The plan includes both new and proposed land use and open space plans. The plan documents new campus components and indicates proposed developments for a 10-to-15-year forecast, phased in two-to-four-year increments keyed into university funding cycles. Some key components:

The Development Plan includes architectural and site design guidelines that refine campus design elements and architectural character. Architectural guidelines include campus and building proportion, massing and scale, as well as references to material expression such as colonial Mexican decorative tile.
Exhibits showing all utilities (domestic water, storm drainage, sanitary sewer, natural gas, electricity, telephone, on campus lighting, thermal utilities, etc.).
The plan examines optimum traffic patterns, entrances to the campus and locations of surface parking, storm water runoff, detention and development and a strategy to deal with existing (west/east) high pressure gas line.
Development planning for sports relative to the new buildings is shown including soccer fields and surface parking spaces.
Criteria for exterior lighting and plaza development.