In San Antonio, Pre-K 4 SA, which provides preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, and HOLT Group, which owns industrial and other companies, recently broke ground on an early childhood education: the South Education Center.
Slated for completion by summer 2025, the South Education Center aims to provide access to high-quality early childhood education for the southeast side of San Antonio—a traditionally under-resourced region and an area identified as a childcare desert.
In recent years, south and southeast San Antonio has seen a decline in high-quality childcare options, especially for families with kids 4 years and younger, according to a press statement from Pre-K 4 SA and HOLT Group.
The design by RDG Planning+Design offers abundant light throughout the building. The center’s colors and natural materials, such as stone, wood, and green walls, were inspired by the local landscape, culture, and landmarks, including the San Fernando Cathedral.
Each space in the center has been designed to foster young children’s growth and development and encourage learning through play. Every classroom offers direct access to outdoor porch settings and play areas. All exterior play areas are shielded by the building to create a safe environment away from busy streets and parking lots.
“This school takes inspiration from the natural surroundings and the cultural vibrancy of San Antonio, seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces to create an engaging, enriching place for young learners,” Antonio Plascencia, principal senior designer, said in a statement.
The state-of-the-art facility features modern classrooms equipped to meet the highest early childhood education standards. Specialized spaces will support families, teacher collaboration, and interactive learning and play-based activities.
On the Building Team:
Owner/developer: Holt Texas, Ltd.
Design architect: RDG Planning+Design
Architect of record: Pfluger Architects
MEP engineer: Cleary Zimmermann Engineers
Structural engineer: Lundy & Franke Engineering
General contractor: G.W. Mitchell Construction
Landscaping: Rialto Studio
Technology: Combs Consulting Group
Related Stories
ProConnect Events | Jan 16, 2023
6 more BD+C ProConnect Events in 2023 – The videos show why you should participate
ProConnects bring building product manufacturers and suppliers together with architects, contractors, builders, and developers to discuss upcoming projects and learn about new products and technical solutions.
K-12 Schools | Dec 23, 2022
Vacant Target store in Minnesota turned into early childhood education center
Lincoln School, a former 90,000-sf Target retail store in Fergus Falls, Minn., was repurposed into Independent School District 544’s newest campus.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 21, 2022
Bay Area school district builds 122 affordable apartments for faculty and staff
The 122 affordable apartments at 705 Serramonte, Daly City, Calif., were set aside not for faculty and staff at Jefferson Union High School District.
K-12 Schools | Dec 20, 2022
Designing an inspiring, net zero early childhood learning center
LPA's design for a new learning center in San Bernardino provides a model for a facility that prepares children for learning and supports the community.
Sponsored | Resiliency | Dec 14, 2022
Flood protection: What building owners need to know to protect their properties
This course from Walter P Moore examines numerous flood protection approaches and building owner needs before delving into the flood protection process. Determining the flood resilience of a property can provide a good understanding of risk associated costs.
HVAC | Dec 13, 2022
Energy Management Institute launches online tool to connect building owners with HVAC contractors
The National Energy Management Institute Inc. (NEMI) along with the Biden administration’s Better Air in Buildings website have rolled out a resource to help building owners and managers, school districts, and other officials find HVAC contractors.
Education Facilities | Nov 30, 2022
10 ways to achieve therapeutic learning environments
Today’s school should be much more than a place to learn—it should be a nurturing setting that celebrates achievements and responds to the challenges of many different users.
K-12 Schools | Nov 30, 2022
School districts are prioritizing federal funds for air filtration, HVAC upgrades
U.S. school districts are widely planning to use funds from last year’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) to upgrade or improve air filtration and heating/cooling systems, according to a report from the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council. The report, “School Facilities Funding in the Pandemic,” says air filtration and HVAC upgrades are the top facility improvement choice for the 5,004 school districts included in the analysis.
Energy-Efficient Design | Nov 14, 2022
How to achieve net zero energy in five steps
Martine Dion and Ethan Seaman share net zero energy best practices with owners and developers.
K-12 Schools | Nov 1, 2022
Safety is the abiding design priority for K-12 schools
With some exceptions, architecture, engineering, and construction firms say renovations and adaptive reuse make up the bulk of their work in the K-12 schools sector.
