AIA Cote Top Ten: Pearl Brewery/Full Goods Warehouse, Lake Flato Architects

Lake Flato Architects have designed the redevelopment project for the Full Goods Warehouse, coming up with a LEED Gold certified building, one of the Top Ten Green Projects Awards organised by the American Institute of Architecture AIA and its environmental committee, COTE.



After lying derelict for 15 years, the Pearl Brewery area in the city of San Antonio has been revitalised, thanks to a redevelopment Master Plan; the creative reuse of this neglected site is attracting a rich mix of private development and public space.



The architects from American firm, Lake Flato Architects were faced with an old industrial building requiring large-scale demolition, since only 64% could be reused. Over 80% of the construction waste generated was then recycled for the construction and for the landscaping integrated in the development plan.



Despite a complete renovation of the interiors, the brewery’s industrial past is not forgotten, with the old beer vats repurposed as tanks for rainwater that is harvested from the roofs and used for irrigation water.





The LEED Gold design certified by USGBC stands out due to the many solutions geared towards improving the complex’s overall energy efficiency, and to reducing environmental impact. The whole structure adopts a high percentage of recycled and locally sourced materials, passive design, natural lighting, photovoltaic array and right sizing.



The landscaping is extremely important, with 100% native vegetation that provides natural water drainage and reduces the effect of urban warming.



Apart from being one of the AIA/COTE Top Ten green projects, the local community is also showing its appreciation and has adopted it as the new fulcrum for their social life, thanks to the variety of services offered.

Lake|Flato Architects (Design Architect) http://lakeflato.com
DHR Architects (Architect of record)
Civil Engineer: Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc.
Commissioning Agent: DBR
Contractor: Artistic Builders
Landscape Architect: Rialto Studio, Inc.
LEED Consultant: Contects
MEP Engineer: Triple R-Electric, Co.
Structural Engineer: Danysh and Associates, Inc.
Location: San Antonio, TX, USA
Photographers: Casey Dunn, Lara Swimmer 
Link: http://www.aiatopten.org/node/270
USGBC Central Texas http://usgbc-centraltexas.org