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A striking Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects-designed office proposal in San Antonio has received preliminary conceptual approval from the Historic Design and Review Commission (HDRC). Spearheaded by local real estate development firm Weston Urban, the octagonal Frost Bank Tower will hold 400,000 square feet of space in its 23-storey, glass-clad frame. Each vertical face concludes with an angled roofline, creating a series of sharp edges that form the building's captivating crown.
While the overall design of the tower was showered with praise, some of the fine-grained aspects of the plan were singled out for reworking. In particular, the commissioners took issue with elements of the ground-level experience, pedestrian realm, and the main entrance to the building, pointing to its perceived lack of significance and grandeur. A visual separation in the form of an awning was recommended by some commissioners, which they believed would help separate the repetition of the glass curtain wall from the ground plane. The commissioners also asked the project partners and designers to ensure the building relates to the nearby San Pedro Creek, which is currently undergoing work as part of a large-scale improvements project.
Current plans show a transparent ground floor, allowing passing pedestrians to see inside the retail and commercial areas of the building. No tenants have yet been announced for the 20,000 square feet available, which is expected to host shops and restaurants. Pursuant to LEED Silver standards, the building will equip itself with highly energy-efficient glazing, resulting in 70 percent less heat gain.
The design team will make another appearance in front of the HDRC in the fall of 2016 for final approvals, giving them time to take stock of the advice they've received and implement refinements. New renderings are expected to be released around that time.
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