St. Philip’s College, E.L. Turbon Student Center

Design Team: Carr Hornbuckle (Managing Partner); Aline Yoldi (Project Manager); Anthony Plascencia (Project Designer); Eduardo Ponce (Project Architect); Levi Sanciuc (Project Team Member); Catherine Plascencia (Interior Designer); Rafael Bedolla (Contract Administrator); Consultants: Intelligent Engineering Services (Civil, Structural); CNG Engineering (MEP); Cooper-Lochte Landscape Architecture (Landscape Designer); Skanska USA Building Inc. (General Contractor)

The former E.L. Turbon Student Center at St. Philip’s College was underused, austere, and had little connection to the rest of the campus. The project took this uninspiring space and created a hub of activity that has energized the campus and the neighboring community, while honoring the rich history of both.

Using funds from a Department of Education Title III grant, the college renovated the former 1950s performing arts building and constructed a seamless two-story addition to create a vibrant learn-study-play facility that enhances the student experience.

The original structure now houses a post office; a cyber café; administrative offices; and gaming area with billiards also used as a teaching classroom, ping pong tables, and video games. The addition has a bookstore and six-lane bowling alley with a multipurpose room, video projection rooms, and student association offices. Students have a variety of space options depending on their mood or need: calm and relaxing spaces to study and meet with friends, or more active areas to participate in friendly competition.

Historically, St. Philip’s College was born from a need to serve an underserved demographic and, throughout the decades, has continued to focus on providing the best student experience through education, student organizations, school pride events, student life community activities and civic engagement. Respecting the college’s 120-year history of serving the San Antonio’s Eastside neighborhoods was a primary driver of the design. Efforts were made to salvage as much of the original building as possible—including the 1953 stage wood flooring, which was repurposed into wall paneling at key locations throughout the building.

Construction of the new student center has transformed the college. Not only did the existing 1950s building go through a complete reconfiguration—while strategically preserving key elements of the original structure—but the entire student culture and lifestyle also has evolved.

The project has achieved its purpose of retaining existing students and attracting new students into the campus. Student Life activities and classes performed at the facility build a sense of community and pride within the campus and create connections among the college, the community and its students. Members of the larger community, such as high-school early college students, neighboring churches, local groups and affiliations, and community businesses and associations, also benefit from the building through use of its numerous activity and gathering spaces.

Today the Turbon Center is a vibrant, high-traffic building used by students, faculty, staff, and the entire community.

Additional Information

Other projects from this professional

Game Development Design School

Welcome to the Game Development Design School, where innovation meets education in...

The Harvey Schools

Hurricane Harvey ravaged Houston and left a devastating mark on nearly everything...

Product suppliers specified