Four New Alamo Colleges' Buildings Receive Awards

Alamo Colleges Buildings

In November 2005 Bexar County citizens approved a $450 million bond package to construct new Alamo College facilities and renovate existing buildings in order to accommodate student growth. Twenty four new buildings have resulted from the Alamo Colleges’ Capital Improvements Program (CIP).

The CIP made possible the construction of the newest of the Alamo Colleges, Northeast Lakeview College. Overall, it added 1.3 million square feet of instruction and library space, including new performing arts venues at Palo Alto College, Northeast Lakeview College and Northwest Vista College, plus enhanced nursing and allied health facilities at St. Philip’s College and San Antonio College.

Thus far, four of the 24 new buildings have been recognized with design awards. They are:

San Antonio College Parking Garage—opened Spring 2008
San Antonio Council of Engineering Companies (SACEC)—2007-2008 Award for Building/Structural/Special in Small Firm Category
Architects—O’Connell Robertson Architects

The Parking Garage has 1,100 parking spaces and five levels. The structure includes two glass-back elevators, a stairwell tower and is constructed of pre-cast concrete, with a distinctive red brick exterior that harmonizes with the other buildings on campus. Additionally, perforated metal panels and glass storefront systems will help soften the exterior.

San Antonio College Academic Instruction Center—opened Fall 2008
Project of Distinction, 2009 Education Design Showcase—Design +Architecture in Education Magazine
Architects—West East Design Group, with contribution from Madilyn Slay Architects

The 72,000 sq. foot Academic Instruction Center features contemporary classrooms, labs and offices for the departments of philosophy, foreign languages, business, protective services and continuing education. Study rooms and lounge areas with big windows improve students’ educational experiences. Energy-conservation building practices include high-efficiency compact fluorescent light bulbs, natural lighting, thermal efficient windows, tight sealing, extra insulation and outdoor xeriscaping. 

Palo Alto College Veterinary Technology Building—opened Spring 2008
Excellence in Construction Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., South Texas Chapter
Architects—Rehler Vaughn & Koone

Palo Alto’s new Veterinary Technology Building is a one-a-kind facility for the Alamo Colleges, and South Texas. The 15,188 square foot structure houses an anatomy/physiology lab, a clinical/pathology lab, a parasitology lab, an equine lab, a surgery room, pharmacy, kennels and classrooms. An animal pen has been constructed adjacent to the building.

Northwest Vista College Live Oak Hall Academic Center—opened Spring 2009
Texas Association of School Administrators and America Institute of Architects—Awards for Process of Planning, Design, Educational Appropriateness, Innovation and Sustainability
Architects—OCO Architects (O’Neill Conrad Oppelt Architects Inc.)

Live Oak Academic Center houses the disciplines of history, government, speech, biology, chemistry, geology, physics, engineering, upper division mathematics, sociology, anthropology and psychology, with an upper division mathematics lab, 40 new classrooms and laboratories and two work areas for 50 faculty members. It features an astronomy deck on the roof and an outdoor classroom on the main level, plus a campus art gallery in the lobby.

A striking, angular three story building, Live Oak’s roof shapes are not all be the same. They are flat, sloped or even reverse sloped for shade. The “L” shaped building’s three story north-south wing is aligned for views to the campus lake and the two story east-west wing forms the north side of the campus commons.

At the Alamo Colleges, high quality education and low costs provide exceptional value to students and alumni who are major contributors to the economy and culture of our community.  For more information, visit our website at alamo.edu.