Inspired by the history of the Hughes Plumbing Warehouse, this adaptive reuse project extends its scope beyond that of a traditional renovation. The firm set out with the goal of transforming this early 20th-century warehouse into an innovative but functional studio space and, in turn, was equally and unexpectedly transformed by the building. A diverse array of meeting areas integrated into the preexisting structural grid and daylit by clerestories serve as the primary organizational component around which the open-plan, ground floor studio is arranged. This spatial organization inspires creative collaboration and communication between employees while also facilitating project reviews, client meetings, design charrettes, visiting student critiques, and weekly office-wide lunches.
In a bold design decision, the project team cut back 1200sf of roof space and inserted generous load-bearing curtain walls in order to create a courtyard that unfolds beyond the existing brick façade. The resultant space creates an unexpected public gathering spot that opens the building to the street and allows access to adjacent tenant spaces. The courtyard supplies natural light and ventilation to the interior spaces while expanding the entry sequence from the compressed industrial street edge. The existing loading dock openings are fitted with custom perforated steel gates—patterned off an abstracted version of a Jackson Pollock painting—in order to provide cohesion with the arts and design district that is grounded by the presence of the neighboring San Antonio Museum of Art.
The renovation preserves the openness and industrial character of the original building, maintaining its expansive 18-ft ceilings. Glass and steel components, such as punched windows and a window wall overlooking the courtyard, were integrated into the existing longleaf pine and brick structure, allowing natural light to infiltrate the warehouse space. With the attitude that the most sustainable building is the one that is already built, existing elements were cleaned up—the concrete floors diamond polished, a portion of the structural beams replaced with steel—but remain largely unchanged.
The project integrates sophisticated systems that optimize the building’s performance: shade control that abides by the astronomical clock; automated lighting sensitive to occupancy and daylight levels; 65 kw solar panels on the insulated roof that meet about 50% of the building’s energy needs; and an HVAC system that allows individual control of each conference room.
In efforts to maximize resource efficiency, materials were repurposed wherever possible. Furniture from the previous office was remilled and reassembled to create workstations that support the open office plan. Timber salvaged from the roof and ceiling was repurposed as stair treads and for board-formed concrete poured onsite. Sections of concrete floor that had to be saw-cut became pavers in the alley, transforming a neglected zone into a vibrant outdoor meeting space. The renovation of the warehouse along the banks of the San Antonio River in the burgeoning River North district of downtown San Antonio has transformed not only a building but an organizational culture and neighborhood, supporting the firm in their mission to transform the world through the practice of architecture.
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