KIPP: San Antonio

The new K-12 charter school for 1,900 historically underserved students is located in the SoFlo/Southtown District, on the southern edge of downtown. The irregular shaped property is a former railroad turning yard, sandwiched between still active tracks, elevated sections of IH 10/35, light industrial and small residential properties and San Pedro Creek.  The $165 per square foot construction budget, including site remediation, is only 60% of a typical public school in this region.

The design solution focuses on short and long term sustainable goals to help minimize operational costs. The two wings open to the southeast, forming courtyards to amplify and take advantage of prevailing breezes. Roof water is conducted through swales in the landscaped courtyards to shallow detention areas designed for recreation and outdoor classrooms. Shading devices, breezeways and trees help modify outside micro-environments beginning in the parking areas. Orientation allows classrooms to maximize natural daylighting, sharing it with the internal corridors. Solar panels will eventually cover a majority of the roof. Metal wall panels, highlighted with color, reference the site’s original industrial character and identify the age level schools within the school.

KIPP was featured in The Rivard Report article, “New KIPP Campus a Major Milestone in Charter’s Growth“, 9.16.16