LPA San Antonio

A long-vacant retail space was redeveloped into a modern, LEED Platinum workplace that helped revitalize San Antonio’s industrial Southtown neighborhood. The design for the 10,300-square-foot space started with an exploration of the designers’ work flow, including post-occupancy evaluations of other LPA studios. Energy modeling was used at multiple stages to analyze the building, different materials and their impact on users.

The final design left much of the existing warehouse structure untouched. The façade of the older commercial structure was stabilized to retain the streetscape and screen a surface parking lot. Throughout the space, the old and new are contrasted, including the exposed original stone wall and ceiling. Open landscaped spaces were created by the design; a collaborative space opens to the street, putting the firm’s work on display.

Sustainable features are fully exposed and on display, promoting the firm’s process and focus on performance. The project earned LEED Platinum, with help of a 63.7-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system, which includes a solar canopy over parking stalls. The PV system offsets more than 50% of the total energy use. Other sustainable features include 100% LED lighting fixtures with controls, energy monitoring and low-impact site development techniques.