Each of the outdoor classroom settings at the San Antonio Central Library is defined by a two-ft. wide circular flagstone band that tails into a low circular stone bench seat, and at times is interrupted by boulder seats. The dramatic columns (existing) are quarried cantera. Cantera (Spanish for "quarry") is a volcanic rock mined in various regions of Mexico and Central America. LEDs illuminate the bench seating, an inviting space at night, while helping to deter vandalism.

The Central Library in downtown San Antonio, Texas, long a source of inspiration and learning, is one of the most recognizable and touted buildings in the city. It was designed by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta Vilchis (May 7, 1931– Dec. 30, 2011).

However, 15 years after the acclaimed 240,000 sq. ft. modern library opened, it underwent an $8 million weatherization and renovation. As part of that revitalization, the building was resealed, reroofed and repainted its iconic "enchilada red." During the work, the adjacent outdoor grounds were used by the general contractor as access points to the building, and as a staging and construction yard, which removed what little there was in the way of plantings and grass areas.

This is the view from Augusta Street to the Central Library and the exterior of the plaza. The limestone wall is the back of the stage.

A strong effort was made by the library staff to revitalize the original landscaping, which had included a grid of Bradford pear trees, and colored concrete bands with a large open turf area. The trees were short lived, having died many years earlier. Because of the previous design constraints of the area, the space was never fully used by the library and the city. There was a lack of connection to surrounding streets, sidewalks, and several nearby facilities and amenities, such as the Southwest School of Art and the Riverwalk.

The library's new vision was for several large flexible spaces that could be used for various gatherings, a large media events area, various sized outdoor classroom settings, plus space for solitude and passive reading. As the average high temperatures in San Antonio from June through September range from 90 to 96 degrees, shade was considered a necessity from the south–central Texas sun. Accessibility was also a consideration, as the bus stop and the city's bicycle kiosks were in a location on the opposite side of the entry to the building. And finally, there was a need for security both day and night. In preparing the initial design concept, extensive research was done on previous Legorreta projects. The buildings were modern and geometric, but how were the spaces adjacent to them designed? What materials were used? What shapes and what design approach were used? In almost every other Legorreta project it was found that natural stone of the particular region was incorporated into the spaces in the form of walls, benches, and flatwork. The stone pattern was typical of Mexico: random, with a dry stack appearance. Those materials were geometric and reinforced the forms and nuances of his buildings. The concept became not to mimic previous examples, but to encapsulate that design philosophy in such a way that was warm and inviting. The spaces needed to be functional, user friendly and complement the modern styled architecture. The design work included preliminary meetings with the San Antonio Historic Design and Review Committee (HDRC), the city board that oversees historic districts and all city properties. The project moved through several HDRC approvals, as well as the library board's schematic and final acceptance, all with minor revisions to the overall plan.

The trees here are 10-inch caliber cedar elms. The decorative concrete red orbs are by the architect, Legorreta. They are connected with a single two-foot by two-foot concrete footing. The blue cylinders were installed after Legorreta's project and during the installation of the native planting scheme, all prior to this project. They are used to collect AC condensate for use in the landscape, but hard water issues ceased that function. It was cost prohibitive to reinstate that function during this project.

Initial construction was unexpectedly stalled by month long rains that prohibited the pouring of footings and general site work. It seldom rains in San Antonio, but given Murphy's Law, when constructing something long anticipated, patience is a prerequisite. The construction timeline moved from December 2011 to September 2012.

The final site now includes areas and spaces the library can cordon off for private events, such as weddings, or entertain large gatherings, such as the recent Texas Book Festival. There are also areas along the meandering, passive Oklahoma flagstone path to sit and read a book. This area, situated between the library and the parking garage is now enveloped by shade trees, colorful plantings, and tranquility.

The hardscape plaza was the venue for the recent Texas Book Festival.

Each of the outdoor classroom settings is defined by a two-ft. wide circular flagstone band that tails into a low circular stone bench seat, and at times is interrupted by several large boulder seats. The large area that culminates at the end of the passive pedestrian walk has an interior of flagstone, while the smaller classroom that sits in the building's shadow contains flagstone and sod. Furthermore, the larger space opens up onto the main existing walk, the sidewalk along Augusta Street, and the connection to the Riverwalk.

The painted metal trellis that is secured to veneered columns of Texas limestone, makes for interesting geometric patterns. The built-in limestone bench connects the columns to create a unified structure.

The original 8 ft. wide colored and scored concrete banding that was faded and cracked was replaced with a dimensionally cut flagstone banding, interspersed by geometric circles of sod or hardscape areas. The bus stop and city bicycle kiosks on the other side of the Delta wall, the large, tapering wall adorned with cylindrical spheres, use this banding as the connection through the wall, through the plaza, and then around to the entry of the building.

The original library entrance hardscape was an 8 ft. wide colored and scored concrete banding that had faded and cracked. It was replaced with a dimensionally cut flagstone banding walk interspersed by geometric circles of sod or hardscape areas.

The large softscape space is defined with a two-ft. wide cut flagstone edge that ties into a trellis feature and stage area. The painted steel trellis is supported by a Texas limestone veneer, synonymous with the other vertical drystack appearance stone patterns. The built in limestone bench connects the columns to create a unified structure. The stage area has an 8-ft. tall stonewall backdrop that shields it from the busy intersection. The ventanas (windows) in the wall replicate those found throughout the building. The stage faces southwest, so, as in an indoor theater, the light is cast upon the actors and not in the direction of the audience. The intent of the landscape plan was to make it an educational garden, a place to display different types of plants, native and adaptable to the San Antonio climate.

The lilac-colored blossoms of society garlic and "Knock Out' roses frame the walkway.

Large native canopy trees include four 10-inch caliper cedar elms surrounding the large hardscape plaza; Chinquapin oaks, Anaquas, Lacey bark elms, and Monterrey oaks help cool the space and detract the ever present groups of pigeons and grackles that plague the downtown. Anacacho orchid, mountain laurel, and rustic blackhaw viburnum are the ornamental trees, with a variety of other smaller plantings, each with their own texture and color that showcase their own special features throughout the year. Very minimal use of sod and the use of drip irrigation in the planting beds, along with bubblers at the trees, bespeak the water consciousness of the landscape.

This is the pedestrian walk between the parking garage and the library building. The center circle has plantings of mountain laurel, foxtail fern and Aztec grass. "Nacogdoches' roses, and soft leaf yucca are in the foreground. Agapanthus is at the left; and desert willow in background.

Line voltage lighting now showcases the vast six-story building wall, while the up lighting at the stage wall and trellis columns accentuates the stone pattern. Subtle LED uplighting on the canopy trees and soft LED bench seat lighting create an inviting space at night, while helping to deter vandalism.

This is the view from stone stage to the turf area (the "flex space") a large turf area that incorporates a trellis/canopy and an ADA walkway to the library building.

With its large spaces, coupled with the more intimate passive reading areas and its usability day and night, the plaza is extremely functional. The plaza furthermore extends the design direction of the building with its use of geometric shapes and patterns, and the exterior use of regional hardscape and softscape materials. The plaza evokes a space within a space that reaches out to connect to the rest of the city.

The eight-foot wide dimensionally cut flagstone walk leads from the bus stop through the main hardscape space to the outdoor classroom. The original colored and scored concrete banding bisects it.

Project Team
Owner: City of San Antonio
Civil/Structural Engineer: MTR Engineers
Electrical Engineer: CNG Engineering
General Contractor: F.A. Nunnelly Co.
Landscape Architect: C2 Landgroup, Inc.
Landscape Contractor: Choate USA
Lighting Consultant: Spectrum Lighting, Inc.