San Antonio Botanical Garden Lucile Halsell Conservatory
San Antonio, TX USA
 90,000 sf. Earth Sheltered Greenroof
(Video)

Greenroofs.com Featured Project May 22, 2024

Lucile Halsell Conservatory. Image: Emilio Ambasz

The San Antonio Botanical Garden and its Lucile Halsell Conservatory is a stunning example of a sensitively designed campus which enhances the natural environment while providing education, entertainment, biodiversity, and serenity. Designed by green architect Emilio Ambasz, it really is no wonder, given his penchant for “greening the gray” in terms of using living green architecture over the impermeable options of “grays” such as concrete, asphalt, and the like.

Lucile Halsell Conservatory. Image: Emilio Ambasz

Specifically, the earth sheltered Lucile Halsell Conservatory is enveloped in greenery and its five complex, multi purpose pyramidal glass buildings house plants from across the world. In fact, the complicated roof structures required over 1,100 different sized pieces of glass.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden (SABOT) says, “Whether you are looking to immerse yourself in the beauty of plants, watch birds, learn a new skill, or treat the kids to imaginative outdoor play, the Garden has something for everyone.” Indeed!

Make sure to visit the brand new Emilio Ambasz Virtual Museum website to see this work, in addition to his wide array of other projects, built and conceptual. The Emilio Ambasz Virtual Museum website represents the architect and inventor – the owner of more than 220 industrial and mechanical patents – many years of experience in architecture, urban design, industrial and graphic design, and more.

Excerpt from the Greenroofs.com Project Profile:

San Antonio Botanical Garden Lucile Halsell Conservatory. Image: SABOT Marketing

Established in 1980, the San Antonio Botanical Garden sits on 38 acres and is a world-class garden recognized for outstanding horticulture displays, botanical diversity, education, conservation, and experiences that connect people to the natural world.

Inspired by the late San Antonio philanthropist Gilbert Denman and designed by Emilio Ambasz, the striking, internationally renowned Lucile Halsell Conservatory is a 90,000 square foot complex featuring five futuristic glass structures housing tropical palms, rainforest ferns, desert cacti, and rare orchids, which surround an inner courtyard, orangerie, and pond. Visitors can discover plants from the tropical rainforest and its canopy to the deserts of Mexico and South Africa, as well as tropical palms and ancient ferns.

The Fern Grotto at the San Antonio Botanical Garden Lucile Halsell Conservatory. Image: SABOT Marketing

Both timeless and specific, natural and man-made, the complex of greenhouses is located in the hot, dry climate of southern Texas.

Unlike northern climates where traditionally glazed greenhouses maximize sunlight, the climate of San Antonio requires that plants be shielded from the sun and the cold winds coming down from Canada.

Lucile Halsell Conservatory. Image: Emilio Ambasz

Emilio Ambasz’s design uses the earth as a container and protector of the plants, controlling light and heat levels by limiting glazed areas to the roof. This innovative design concept significantly decreased the need for expensive mechanical systems, thereby reducing the overall cost of the building by over 20%.

The Lucile Halsell Conservatory complex’s Palm and Cycad Pavilion soars 65’ high at its tallest point and cradles the Fern Grotto 23’ below the earth’s surface.

San Antonio Botanical Garden Lucile Halsell Conservatory. Image: SABOT Marketing

More

The urban oasis has been nationally recognized for its commitment to environmental stewardship and exhibitions that bring people and the natural world together. A top San Antonio attraction, the Garden serves as a museum of plants, a tranquil escape, a living classroom, a research and conservation facility, and entertainment venue where art, architecture, music, and theater experiences come to life for 368,000 annual visitors, including 60,000 children.

The iconic Lucile Halsell Conservatory has welcomed millions of guests looking to explore unique plants and ecosystems from around the world.

Image: SABOT Marketing

San Antonio Botanical Garden Lucile Halsell Conservatory. Image: SABOT Marketing

Year: 1982
Owner: The San Antonio Botanical Garden Society, Inc.
Location: San Antonio, TX USA
Building Program: Park
Type: Intensive Earth Sheltered Greenroof
System: Custom
Test/Research: No
Size: 90,000 sq. ft.
Slope: 1-8%
Access: Accessible
Privacy: Public

Lucile Halsell Conservatory. Image: Emilio Ambasz

Credits:

ARCHITECT:
EMILIO AMBASZ

ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT:
ALTA ARCHITECTS (FORMERLY MUÑOZ & COMPANY, JONESKELL)

CONTRACTOR:
GUIDO CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

ENGINEER:
LEV ZETLIN CONSULTANTS

SPACEFRAME:
CST INDUSTRIES

Lucile Halsell Conservatory. Image: Emilio Ambasz

See the Project Profile

See the San Antonio Botanical Garden Lucile Halsell Conservatory to view ALL of the Photos and Additional Information about this particular project in the Greenroofs.com Projects Database.

San Antonio Botanical Garden Lucile Halsell Conservatory. Image: SABOT Marketing

Did we miss your contribution? Please let us know to add you to the Project Profile.

Would you like one of your projects to be featured on Greenroofs.com? Read how, and remember we have to have a profile first! Submit Your Project Profile.

Love the Earth, Plant a Roof (or Wall)!

By Linda S. Velazquez, ASLA, LEED AP, GRP
Greenroofs.com Publisher & Sky Gardens Studio Principal