BOKA Powell, in collaboration with Hexon Properties and Lake Flato Architects, proudly presents “The Soto” — the first large-scale wooden office building in Texas. Large wooden structures are a hallmark of sustainable design and have been widely embraced across Europe, Canada, Australia, and more recently, the United States.
The Soto is located within The Cavender, an emerging mixed-use district along the Broadway corridor in San Antonio. The entire project is designed with a focus on efficiency, sustainability, flexibility, and innovation.
The name “Soto,” derived from Castilian Spanish, specifically means “trees” or “small forests,” typically found near rivers or shaded areas. It serves as both a name and a tribute to the origins of architecture.
Wooden structures offer more than just aesthetic appeal; they are exceptionally eco-friendly. Unlike concrete and steel buildings, which generate significant carbon emissions, The Soto’s wooden framework is carbon neutral and even acts as a carbon sink. The fast-growing trees harvested for this project permanently store the carbon dioxide they absorbed during growth.
The project promotes a sustainable carbon cycle by planting new trees to absorb carbon dioxide. The Soto is LEED certified and features a five-story DLT (Dowel Laminated Timber) structure built atop a concrete foundation.
The exposed wooden floors and ceilings create a warm and tranquil atmosphere within the office space. This combination of environmental responsibility and aesthetic charm sets The Soto apart from other office buildings in the market.
One of The Soto’s distinctive features is its fully clad brick and stone façade, making it the first project in North America to merge large timber construction with brickwork.
Benefits of large wooden structures include:
- Cost-effectiveness: Large wooden structures offer a relatively affordable solution for mid-to-high-rise buildings.
- Reduced energy consumption: Wooden buildings typically require less energy than their concrete or steel counterparts.
- Faster construction: Prefabricated wooden panels accelerate building timelines compared to traditional concrete or steel methods.
- Material savings: By replacing steel and cement, wooden structures contribute to lower carbon emissions.
- Disaster resilience: Specialty wood materials often provide fire resistance and enhanced seismic performance for taller buildings.
Technical Drawings
△ Site Plan
△ Plan View
△ Plan View
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Axonometric Diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: BOKA Powell, Lake | Flato Architects
Area: 182 m²
Project Year: 2020
Photographers: Erika Brown Edwards, Travis W. Baker
Suppliers: Arriscraft, Concept Surfaces, GAF, Global International Flooring Systems, Guardian Glass, Huber Engineered, Key Resin Company, LG Hausys Viatera, MBCI, Mathews Lighting Group, Oldcastle APG, Shaw Contract, StructureCraft, Thyssen-Krupp, Tractel, Tremco Commercial Sealants & Waterproofing, VMZINC, WR Meadows
Design Architects: Lake | Flato Architects
Project Team: Chris Barnes, Eric Van Hyfte, Sania Shifferd, Mike Smith, Miren Urena, Leonardo Caballero, Danielle Smyth
Location: San Antonio, United States
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