Trinity University in San Antonio, one of the nation’s leading liberal arts and sciences institutions, recently initiated a 10-year strategic plan called Trinity Tomorrow. The plan is grounded in the vision that Trinity will redefine liberal arts education for the 21st century. Trinity Tomorrow builds on the University’s current assets and calls on Trinity to strengthen its interdisciplinary and experiential approach to education, while integrating academic and residential campus life.
The strategic plan directs the University to “develop a Facilities Master Plan to ensure that future building projects are consistent with the vision and design principles of founding architect O’Neil Ford, the values of a Trinity education, changing campus needs, environmental sustainability, and the strategic objectives outlined.” To that end, Page was selected to assist Trinity in the development of a campus master plan that preserves the character of the campus.
The plan was approved in 2017 and the University succeeded in gaining recognition for the historic campus core on the National Register of Historic Places the following year. The dedication to the preservation of O'Neil Ford's legacy on the campus has been celebrated by the Trinity community and is a focal element of the master plan.
Founded in 1869, Trinity University has resided on four campuses in three different cities in Texas. Today’s campus is a 117-acre hilltop location with a commanding view of downtown San Antonio. The university is almost as well known for its architectural design, created by iconic Texas architect Ford, with whom Page Senior Principal Larry Speck had a deep connection. The Page project team is ensured the master plan honors the past and looks toward the future, celebrating O’Neil Ford’s architectural legacy as well as continuing his commitment to innovation.
Page worked closely with Trinity’s Master Plan Committee and the greater university community to develop a cohesive plan that establishes criteria to guide decisions about renovations, space utilization, and new construction, as well as the athletic facilities, and the preservation of the current campus environment. Page also worked with selected consultants such as the Scion Group to develop an in-depth analysis of housing needs, with ARCHITEXAS to assess historical resources, and with the DeShazo Group to evaluate parking and transportation.
The master planning process kicked off with an all-campus forum in September of 2015. Trinity and Page solicited feedback from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community neighbors to help inform the plan’s development. As the year progressed, additional opportunities for input were made available through campus forums, focus groups, and a dedicated website that provided information as well as collected feedback.
