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
| Aug 11, 2010
Report: Fraud levels fall for construction industry, but companies still losing $6.4 million on average
The global construction, engineering and infrastructure industry saw a significant decline in fraud activity with companies losing an average of $6.4 million over the last three years, according to the latest edition of the Kroll Annual Global Fraud Report, released today at the Association of Corporate Counsel’s 2009 Annual Meeting in Boston. This new figure represents less than half of last year’s amount of $14.2 million.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, HDR top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 100 largest institutional building design firms
A ranking of the Top 100 Institutional Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Texas school goes for traditional look
Children in McKinney, Texas, will have a new school to attend next year. The 92,213-sf Lizzie Nell Cundiff McClure Elementary School will provide 44 classrooms, library space, a science lab, an auditorium, and a practice gym. PBK Architects and contractor Cadence McShane are cladding the exterior in masonry and stone accents to give the facility a traditional look.
| Aug 11, 2010
Private school in La Jolla gets a much-needed facelift
Faced with an aging campus with cramped classrooms, crumbling infrastructure, and outdated technology, La Jolla (Calif.) Country Day School recently completed a modernization that will add a 7,800-sf kindergarten. An early childhood/preschool village houses classrooms and computer, science, and language art facilities.
| Aug 11, 2010
Massachusetts charter school undergoes expansion
A 31,000-sf expansion/renovation of Prospect Hill Academy Charter School, a K-12 preparatory public charter school in Somerville and Cambridge, Mass., will include a versatile central gathering space on the main floor for tutorials and other uses. New offices for college counseling, a writing center, and a senior study room also will grace the ground floor, with upper levels housing science lab...
| Aug 11, 2010
Cherokee Nation center employs eco-friendly features
Three new schools for K-12 students are the focus of a $108 million, 473,000-sf Cherokee Nation multipurpose complex based in Cherokee, N.C. Designed by Padgett & Freeman Architects and built by BE&K Building Group, the center was designed to reflect the art and heritage of the Cherokee people, evidenced by the seven-sided shape of the two courtyard areas and traditional basketweave pat...
| Aug 11, 2010
Replacement school puts old school's materials to good use
Replacing an existing school in the University School District near St. Louis, Mo., the new Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School will accommodate up to 500 students in 24 classrooms. The $13 million school spans 64,834 sf and will use recycled elements from the old building, including mosaic tiles from water fountains, an entryway tile mural, and a freestanding masonry bench.
| Aug 11, 2010
Hillside school sports exciting shape
An education facility for 1,200 students and 300 teachers will grace a hillside in the Faroe Islands town of Torshavn. The 19,200-sm Faroe Islands Education Centre, designed by Copenhagen-based Bjarke Ingels Group, will have a panoramic view overlooking the sea, mountains, and harbor. The building's vortex shape radiates toward its surroundings while drawing attention to the center of the school.
| Aug 11, 2010
New Union City school to use remnants from old building
With 35 classrooms, a media center, science labs, and music rooms, Columbus Elementary School #3 in Union City, N.J., is being built on a confined site, so designer RSC Architects, in conjunction with HOK, will implement underground parking and a rooftop playground. RSC Architects also salvaged classical porticos from a former school at the site; they will be reused to create dramatic entryways...