Confluence Park Wins 2019 AIA Honor Award
Confluence Park’s unique and purposeful design recognized as one of the best in the U.S.
The San Antonio River Foundation’s project, Confluence Park, has been recognized with a “2019 Institute Honor Award for Architecture” from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The award is one of the highest honors in the architecture profession, celebrating the best contemporary architecture which highlights the many ways buildings and spaces can improve lives.
In late January, AIA’s nine-member jury announced their selected submissions that demonstrated design achievement, including a sense of place and purpose, ecology, environmental sustainability and history. Confluence Park was among nine projects honored ranging from an elementary school in Tacoma, Washington to the latest branch of the Smithsonian Institution.
“It was the collaboration that made this project so successful—we worked closely with the design team and the client to create a park that achieved the client’s vision of the design itself inspiring environmental education and stewardship” said Tenna Florian, Lead Design, Associate Partner, Lake|Flato Architects.
“The pavilion is truly one-of-a-kind, the result of an inspired example of complex, contemporary making… This park, and the awards it is receiving, is an example of ‘build with authenticity, build something that matters’” said Robert Amerman, Executive Director of the San Antonio River Foundation.
In partnership with the San Antonio River Authority, Confluence Park is a living laboratory that allows visitors to gain a greater understanding of the ecotypes of the South Texas region and the function of the San Antonio River watershed. Throughout the park, visitors learn through observation, engagement and active participation. Nearing its first birthday, the park has served over 14,000 students and program attendees and partnered with over 30 non-profits and 50 schools.
“We not only have achieved the gold standard in architecture, but a thoughtful space that gives us a better understanding of the unique area we live in” said Frates Seeligson, Director of Confluence Park. “To see our neighbors and community internalizing and acting upon what it means to be an environmental steward by way of the built space is incredible and it is wonderful to see this validated on a national level.”
