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
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-15%20Exterior%2001%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.jpg)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-15%20Exterior%2002%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.jpg)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-15%20Exterior%2003%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.jpg)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-15%20Exterior%2004%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.jpg)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-15%20Exterior%2005%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.jpg)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-15%20Exterior%2006%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.jpg)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-05%20Classroom_Final_logos%20Tony%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.png)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-05%20Corporate%20Entry_Final_logos%20Tony%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.png)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-05%20Corridor_Final_logos%20Tony%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.png)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-05%20Corridor_Final_logos_CROPPED%20Tony%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.png)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-05%20Education%20Entry_Final_logos%20Tony%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.png)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-05%20Education%20Plaza_Final_logos%20Tony%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.png)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-05%20Open%20Office_Final_logos%20Tony%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.png)
![San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA school will provide early childhood education to a traditionally under-resourced region. Rendering courtesy Pfluger Architects](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2024_01-05%20Training%20Room_Final_logos%20Tony%20rendering%20courtesy%20Pfluger%20Architects.png)
Related Stories
| May 24, 2012
Stellar completes St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Day School renovation and expansion
The project united the school campus and church campus including a 1,200-sf chapel expansion, a new 10,000-sf commons building, 7,400-sf of new covered walkways, and a drop-off pavilion.
| May 21, 2012
Winchester High School receives NuRoof system
Metal Roof Consultants attended a school board meeting and presented a sloped metal retrofit roof as an alternative to tearing off the existing roof and replacing it with another flat roof.
| May 8, 2012
Gensler & J.C. Anderson team for pro bono high school project in Chicago
City Year representatives came to Gensler for their assistance in the transformation of the organization’s offices within Orr Academy High School, which also serve as an academic and social gathering space for students and corps members.
| Mar 5, 2012
Perkins Eastman pegs O’Donnell to lead K-12 practice
O’Donnell will continue the leadership and tradition of creative design established by firm Chairman and CEO Bradford Perkins FAIA, MRAIC, AICP in leading this market sector across the firm’s 13 offices domestically and internationally.
| Dec 27, 2011
USGBC’s Center for Green Schools releases Best of Green Schools 2011
Recipient schools and regions from across the nation - from K-12 to higher education - were recognized for a variety of sustainable, cost-cutting measures, including energy conservation, record numbers of LEED certified buildings and collaborative platforms and policies to green U.S. school infrastructure.
| Dec 5, 2011
RJM Construction begins building Nova Classical Academy in St. Paul
As the general contractor, RJM is constructing the 94,000-sf building that will consolidate the St. Paul school’s two other locations.
| Sep 23, 2011
Under 40 Leadership Summit
Building Design+Construction’s Under 40 Leadership Summit takes place October 26-28, 2011 Hotel at the Monteleone in New Orleans. Discounted hotel rate deadline: October 2, 2011.
| Sep 12, 2011
LACCD’s $6 billion BIM connection
The Los Angeles Community College District requires every design-build team in its massive modernization program to use BIM, but what they do with their 3D data after construction is completed may be the most important change to business as usual.
| Jul 22, 2011
Five award-winning modular innovations
The Modular Building Institute's 2011 Awards of Distinction highlight fresh ideas in manufactured construction projects.