Transforming a neglected industrial block into a livable neighborhood: SOJO Commons.

Award, Multifamily Housing, Urban Infill, Walkable Neighborhoods

According to the National League of Cities (NLC, Washington D.C.), “A 15-minute city enables residents to access most daily amenities within a 15 to 20-minute walk, bike or other mode of transportation from any point in a city, town or village regardless of size.” Responding to the imperative for a 15-minute city, this regional adaptation of the traditional rowhouse typology transforms an industrial streetscape into a place for people.

Like most mid-sized American cities, San Antonio is experiencing sustained growth, interest in walkable neighborhoods, and a need to address the carbon imperative. In response, this project introduces a typology to San Antonio that is a livable, familiar, and desirable alternative to sprawling single-family developments. As redevelopment expands outward from the Pearl District, new live, work, and play options within a 15-minute walk are being generated every day. In addition to being low-maintenance and significantly more energy-efficient than a stand-alone single-family home, the floor plans are highly adaptable with the ability to utilize ground-floor space as a home office, for aging parents or adult children still at home, or as an income generator.

The Pearl District is a transformational redevelopment of a 22-acre historic brewery into a mixed-use district and culinary destination north of downtown San Antonio which has catalyzed redevelopment of the underutilized industrial area surrounding it into a new neighborhood. The lack of any sort of contextual consistency in the surrounding neighborhood presented an opportunity to redefine its fundamental character. A series of rowhouses does just that by recognizing the need for a robust and active public realm that augments the people-centric Pearl redevelopment.

The project creates new circulation patterns and employs a material palette of brick, stucco, steel, and Victorian metal shingles which echoes nearby historic warehouse structures and more recent interventions.

Basements are unnecessary in the South Texas region because the ground doesn’t freeze, and they are very expensive. Garages, however, are indispensable. The ground-floor garage requirement means the primary living area is on the second floor of each unit rather than being above a half-down basement as is common in the traditional row house typology. To resolve this set of issues, foyer entries are employed at the open stair landings halfway up from the sidewalk. The intermediate entry creates a direct visual and personal connection between the living spaces and the public realm.

Awarded: AIA San Antonio | 2023 Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN): Multifamily Structure Category