Confluence Park / Lake|Flato Architects

Park, Pavilion | San Antonio, USA Architects: Lake|Flato Architects, Matsys Design Area: 900 ft² Year: 2018 Photography: Casey Dunn A Living Laboratory of Texas Ecology Confluence Park serves as an immersive educational space, inviting visitors to explore the ecological diversity of South Texas and the function of the San Antonio River Basin through observation, interaction, and hands-on engagement. Design Inspired by Nature's Convergence 📍 Site Significance: Located at the confluence of the San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek, the park embodies "confluence" at every scale: Macro: Landforms merge to represent the ecological regions of South Texas. Micro: Pavilion "petals" mimic plant morphology, channeling dew and rainwater like roots, while patterned ground materials evoke flowing waterways. Architectural Highlights 🌿 BHP Pavilion: Concrete petals appear to float lightly, designed to collect rainwater into an on-site catchment system. Provides shade while visually narrating the park’s water cycle and its connection to the river. 🏫 Estella Avery Education Center: Features a green roof for passive heating/cooling and opens as a classroom toward the pavilion. 100% solar-powered by photovoltaic arrays, with rainwater as the primary water source. #SustainableDesign #LakeFlato #TexasArchitecture #EcoPark #SanAntonio