Texas State University Academic Building
Construction Cost: $19.1M | SF: 35,580
Texas State University commissioned RSA to re-purpose this existing 1917 high school and teacher education building in the heart of its campus into a modern academic, research and faculty office building for its Computer Science and Philosophy departments. The Comal Building held emotional significance for both former high school and university alumni but lacked the functionality and code compliance to meet current pedagogy requirements. RSA’s design re-purposed this tired facility which possessed important social collateral into an economically viable and vibrant campus asset. Due to its location in the center of campus on the pedestrian mall, the Comal Building plays an important role in the campus fabric and the Owner wanted to preserve its historical architectural heritage. The Comal Building is featured on all of the campus tours for prospective students, and is shown for its history and beautiful renovation. The Comal Building is one of the top spaces that students enjoy studying, according to the Texas State University Admissions Office.
RSA’s design sought to build on the building’s intrinsic and residual value for pedagogy by restoring the exterior through research of historical documents coupled with thoughtful repair and restoration. The interior of the building was gutted with vertical circulation relocated to facilitate higher utilization, better functionality and a grand entrance atrium.
