AUGUST 21, 2023 — San Pedro I, home of the UTSA School of Data Science and the National Security Collaboration Center, has been awarded a prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. As the first building at UTSA to reach LEED Gold, San Pedro I is paving the way for a more sustainable approach to new campus buildings.
San Pedro I is a world-class facility, leading a new era of high-tech education, research and innovation in Texas. Located at 506 Dolorosa St. along San Pedro Creek in the heart of downtown San Antonio, the $91.8 million facility is advancing economic development in the urban core and creating prosperity for San Antonians.
UTSA achieved LEED Gold certification at San Pedro I through thoughtful attention to energy efficiency and sustainable site development as the result of collaboration with partners at Whiting-Turner, Jacobs Engineering, and Overland Partners. With a focus on indoor/outdoor connections and reconfigurable spaces for multipurpose use, the building was designed with innovation and adaptability in mind to serve UTSA students, faculty and staff downtown for decades to come.
"The LEED Gold designation exemplifies UTSA’s commitment to thoughtful and sustainable growth in downtown San Antonio,” said Veronica Salazar, senior vice president for Business Affairs and Chief Enterprise Development Officer. “As we create new spaces for students to thrive, we are focused on creating healthy, efficient, and cost-saving buildings that will serve the community into the future.”
LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. LEED-certified buildings are built with a focus on sustainability through design, construction and operations practices that improve environmental and human health. Building projects earn points for achieving a range of sustainability, efficiency, and occupant health measures. San Pedro I earned enough points to achieve LEED Gold, second highest tier of certification.
As UTSA continues to grow, careful thought is given to how campus spaces will contribute to the wellbeing of the campus community and surrounding communities. While San Pedro I is the first building at UTSA to achieve LEED certification, the university is working to achieve LEED designations for all new buildings.
“Our goal going forward is for all new campus buildings to aim for at least LEED Silver certification,” said Corrina Green, senior associate vice president for Real Estate, Construction and Planning and Facilities. “Our efforts now will help create an active, sustainable campus that both students and community members will be drawn to and want to spend time in for many years to come.”
San Pedro I, completed in the fall of 2022, was the first project in UTSA’s phased, 10-year approach to accelerating the development of its Downtown Campus as an active, engaging space that integrates student life with the vibrant downtown environment. Public art, such as the sculpture titled Drum Rhythm No. 11 by Fletcher C. Benton installed on the northwest corner of the building, is essential to fostering a beautiful public space. Two new murals by local artists, Cristina Sosa Noriega and Mark Hogensen, have recently been installed on the outside of the building, helping to enhance the cultural connections to the downtown San Antonio community.
Last November, UTSA announced plans for San Pedro II, which will be constructed across the San Pedro Creek from San Pedro I, and which will introduce additional interdisciplinary and collaborative programs to empower students for fulfilling careers through immersive, hands-on learning experiences. San Pedro II will feature a Sustainability Garden, an outdoor, interactive space that will engage students and the community in sustainability.
The two buildings are part of larger place-making efforts to revitalize this historic area of downtown, which includes the recent redevelopment and addition of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park. San Pedro I and II will connect classrooms and meeting spaces inside with the outdoor venues and public art of the park, creating an ecosystem that supports students and the community as they look toward the future of San Antonio.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
September is National Hispanic Heritage Month. House of Neighborly Service is gearing up to increase awareness of the growing needs of our Westside community while embracing our Hispanic culture every step of the way. Our team is excited to announce the First Annual La Casita del Barrio 1K/5K Walk/Run.
Our Lady of the Lake University, 11 SW 24th St, San Antonio, TX 78207Come experience a Hispanic Market with us!
Rowdy StatueWe will be reading For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez. We will meet on Zoom to discuss the book. The book is free for students who request it, please email multicultural@utsa.edu to request the book and/or to join the Book Club and receive messages and information about this and future readings and discussions.
Virtual EventCome and practice your Spanish in a friendly and engaging environment! You will also learn about Hispanic cultures with us as we play games, watch videos, sing, and participate in many other language and cultural activities! All levels are welcome! ¡Nos vemos!
Willow Room (SU 2.02.12,) Main CampusIn partnership with UTSA Libraries and the Consulado General de México en San Antonio, Carriqui will host Ven a Tomar, where guests will sample mezcal, cocktails and unique bites to celebrate UTSA's Mexican Cookbook Collection.
Carriqui, 239 E Grayson St San Antonio, TX 78215The UTSA Orchestra will be performing Rapsodia Mexicana, a captivating concert celebrating Mexican music and the confluence of cultures in South Texas. Joined by organist Colin Campbell (Texas A&M International University) and UTSA's Mariachi Los Paisanos, watch as the orchestra brings to life the essence of Hispanic culture through their powerful performances.
UTSA Recital Hall, Main CampusA fun night for UTSA students to relax and play loteria. Student Success Centers will also have recourses for students to learn more about programs and services.
Denman Ballroom (SU 2.01.28,) Main CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education.
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to ending generations of discrimination and inequity. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.