Credit Human

San Antonio is a pedestrian oriented Spanish colonial city with a 300 year brick building tradition, creating a unique regional architecture. A local Credit Union relocated its corporate headquarters to the heart of the city to build on this local tradition.

Their new 300,000 square foot LEED Platinum building fronts on Broadway, the main artery running parallel to the river from San Antonio’s urban core to the midtown Museum District at the headwaters. The location at the entrance to the 19th century Pearl Brewery Campus drove the decision to expand the pedestrian context from the Campus into the city by creating a deep arcade around three sides of the building. The robust arcade connects the Campus to Broadway’s newly burgeoning street life and invites employee engagement with the area.

Because of the commitment to the pedestrian, the building’s base was a primary architectural focus. Here, the buff-colored brick and neoclassical facade connect the fabric of the 1870’s Pearl Brewhouse to the west with the early buildings of English Architect Alfred Giles at nearby Fort Sam Houston to the east. The proportions and brick articulation of the base also echo the iconic South Texas masonry buildings of mid 19th century Texas Architect Heinrich Portscheller. Above the plinth, the masonry pilasters continue an additional eight floors. Floor to ceiling glazing with an externally communicated structure is placed between them.