Trinity University Completes San Antonio’s First Mass Timber Higher Education Building

ENRTexas&Louisiana has featured a new, 40,000-square-foot mass timber facility at San Antonio’s Trinity University. The building is the institution’s latest addition and has received the Award of Merit as part of the “2023 ENR Texas & Louisiana Best Projects” (12-11-23).

Designed by Lake Flato Architects, Dickie Hall is a mass timber structure that houses one- and two-tier classrooms, an auditorium, a screening room, and student space.

In its submission for consideration, Turner Construction Co. said, “The mass timber structural members are prominently showcased throughout the entire building, with all shear walls, beams, and columns left exposed to highlight their robust yet beautiful and breathtaking nature.” Dicke Hall’s “design seamlessly integrates into the campus skyline and creates a warm and welcoming environment connected to nature. This new structure brings life to the previously overlooked north portion of the campus. Dicke Hall is the first mass timber higher education building in the city and the first in San Antonio to be constructed using cross laminated timber.”

ENRTexas&Louisiana said the project faced significant challenges due to COVID-19 and supply chain issues. The materials delays required close cooperation between all partners—the design team, the construction team, and trades—to keep the project on track.