HACU Headquarters

San Antonio, TX
25,000 SF

Marmon Mok has partnered with Miro Rivera Architects to design and deliver the new headquarters for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). The 25,000-sf building floor plan will accommodate their administration staff and various institution programs in a collaborative and flexible space that will give them room to grow and adapt to program changes in the future. The design team’s task is to design a building that represents the Hispanic culture and reflects trends seen in the Latin regions of the world.

Located on a 4.7-acre site off Huebner Road, the new headquarters will be on the Northeastern side of San Antonio. The vision for the site improvements includes views from the building looking out in the four cardinal directions to landscapes that represent different climate regions of Latin America. The north is the deciduous forest, arid deserts to the west, tropical wetlands in the south, and to the east will be the building entry and location of the surface parking lot, integrating planted trees that become shading for the cars as they grow. The site will also include a walking trail through these different regions to promote wellness for the employees and immerse them in the experiences created through landscape design.

The building interior features a central core that is open to the ceiling structure, designed with vertical fins. These fins allow the sun to fill the space and create movement within the circular geometry. The core area incorporates a mass timber design, providing a warm and beautiful meeting/transition space. These materials are juxtaposed with a brick masonry exterior, symbolizing the grounded nature and timeless appeal of this widely used material worldwide. Additionally, the project design thoughtfully integrates artwork by a prominent Latin artist to promote Hispanic culture. HACU strives to integrate sustainable practices throughout the site design, building design, and interior selections, fully embodying their organizational values and commitment to sustainability.

HACU’s founding in 1986 came with a mission to champion Hispanic success in higher education. They seek to improve access to post-secondary educational opportunities for Hispanic students and represent over 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, and Spain. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic Servicing institutions, with regional offices in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, CA, and their new headquarters in San Antonio, TX.