URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER

Surrounded by the city of San Antonio, 311 acres were purchased by the City in 2007 to become Phil Hardberger Park. The design theory behind the park is comprised of native landscape restoration, preservation, sustainability, cultural landscape and education. In conjunction with Stephen Stimson Associates, the design team completed the Urban Ecology Center within Phil Hardberger Park. The basis of this project was to demonstrate the interaction of the parks terrain, plants and animals with human activity, and to educate the public on design methods to integrate the natural and built environments. Low impact design construction techniques incorporated into the design include project siting, permeable paving / parking, infiltration swales, bioswale, rain garden, site and roof rainwater harvesting, and use (and re-use) of local and native materials.