Project Description:

The request for proposals for this project was developed by Department of Aviation staff in consultation with other City of San Antonio departments (Parks & Recreation, Botanical Gardens, Public Works) and private practice landscape architects. At the conclusion of the selection process, the Design Team unanimously chosen by the selection committee to develop "The International Airport Landscape and Irrigation Master Plan" was comprised of two landscape architecture firms and one land-planning firm.

The Design Team developed a scope of services outlining the approach to preparation of the master plan, listed deliverable products, and prepared a time schedule for completion of project phases. Landscape architects occupied al key project leadership positions including Principal in Chare, Design Team Manager, and Project Manager. The Design Team management developed and scheduled all meetings with Aviation Department administration, engineering, and maintenance personnel. The Team scheduled meetings with, and gathered related data from other city and state agencies & departments. Team Principals were also responsible for presenting the developed project to City boards of review for approval.

As principals of the Design Team, landscape architects were in charge of planning and orchestrating every aspect of this project from preparation of the scope of services, through completion of project documents, to final presentation to the Arip9ort Director and his staff. Aviation Department administrative, engineering & maintenance personnel were included as active participants in the design process, providing background information, as-built drawings, supporting construction & design drawings, and detailed hands-on information to familiarize the Team with every aspect of benefits and problems from previous experience.

The project’s program consisted of preparation of a comprehensive landscape and irrigation master plan for two terminals, major roadways, entry areas, parking lots, and other public areas of the airport. The master plan was to compliment award winning architecture (Terminal I), provide the first and last impression of San Antonio to air travelers, direct vehicular & pedestrian traffic, screen undesirable views, and require the least amount to maintenance and supplemental irrigation possible. The master plan is to be used for "future design and installation of the new landscape that can be accomplished in phases as opportunity allows and funds become available."

Existing airport landscaping had been designed and installed piecemeal over many years. Many plant materials used were varieties that do not do well in the San Antonio climate and/or soils, or were planted in locations inappropriate for their ultimate size or character. Near-drought conditions in the late 1980’s made it apparent that the existing irrigation system was not sophisticated enough to meet the water conservation demands of the current day.

The design team conducted extensive evaluation of existing landscape and hardscape improvements, thoroughly examined construction documents for all existing improvements, and reviewed proposed airport and adjacent state highway long-0range improvement plans. Also studied were existing pedestrian circulation, view corridors and site lighting.

A design concept was developed that proposes a Landscape Master Plan embodying the unique character of the San Antonio region. The improvements recommended in the master plan draw elements, forms, and textures from the region’s three physiographic provinces: Hill Country, Blackland Prairie, and South Texas. An appropriate blending of native & adapted plants and hardscape materials from these three areas provides a comprehensive design that lends cohesiveness and a sense of uniqueness to the site, as well as accentuates special activity nodes and circulation crossings.

In the final master plan, large trees such as Bald Cypress, Live Oak & Cedar Elm form broad boulevards that help direct vehicular traffic to and from the airport terminals. Mostly native ornamental trees, shrubs, and groundcovers are used an understory planting, to define pedestrian spaces and t to screen undesirable views. Perennial and annual beds provide splashes of color at strategic points.

The introduction of native limestone, sandstone and granite materials provides a wealth of color ant texture for walls, pavements & natural outcroppings, creating interesting pedestrian environments, views for motorists and sites for public art. On the practical side, modern materials such as concrete pavers of appropriate color and shape are proposed to create interest at major vehicular intersections and to identify pedestrian crosswalks.

When implemented, this Landscape Master Plan will have a significant impact on the San Antonio Community in many ways. Through the use of primarily indigenous plants and hardscape materials, the primary impact will be in developing a landscape that creates a "sense of identity" for airport visitors. Travelers arriving for the first time will know they are in San Antonio, not Houston or Dallas or "Anywhere USA". Local residents will take pride in their attractive surroundings as they greet guests. The site will also serve as a "demonstration garden" where area residents can observe plants that prosper in the San Antonio region without a lot of pampering, as well as sensible and practical plant groupings. A second impact gained will be in water conservation through implementation of state-of the art irrigation systems where water is placed on the plant material, not running down the streets. A third impact, and one that is vitally important to to the long-term visual attractiveness of the site, is reduced landscape maintenance requirements for airport staff. By using native or proven adapted plant material, and placing properly sized plants in appropriate spaces, virtually al maintenance demands can be drastically reduced.

The primary factor that lends uniqueness to this master plan is the Design Team’s objective of showcasing native, drought-tolerant plants and indigenous hardscape materials drawn from the three physiographic provinces of the region to create a: San Antonio Identity" to the project site. Formal street tree planting provides a strong sense of order and rhythm that unifies the site, then transitions to a amore natural arrangement at the periphery, thereby providing a unique mix of both natural and formal forms within the same setting. Implementation of this master plan will certainly ease site maintenance requirements without sacrificing a rich landscape fabric that can be enjoyed by airport visitors for years to come.