Gather with TBG Partners at TxA26
10.14.26
- Design
The 2026 Texas Society of Architecture Conference sessions and tours in San Antonio invite you to explore the work and ideas behind it—from Pearl’s next chapter and designing at the scale of the city to water stewardship and the future of the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
Thursday, October 15:
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Opening the Pearl: Expanding a Civic Asset
Location: Room 005
Pearls are treasured because they are rare – but great places thrive by opening up. Pearl rose from an abandoned brewery into one of San Antonio’s most beloved destinations, a rare urban gem that demonstrated what thoughtful design can achieve. Its success posed a question: protect it, or grow to connect with the city? The 2050 Master Plan charts its next evolution, linking housing, plazas, cultural anchors, and the River into a socially connected, vibrant neighborhood.
Presenters:
Bill Shown (Silver Ventures), Rick Archer (Overland Partners), Alisha Patterson (Overland Partners), and Samantha Whitney (TBG Partners)
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM ** Two TBG Sessions at this time
Beyond the Building: Designing at the Scale of the City
Location: Room 006B
Architects are trained to think holistically, yet our focus is often confined to the site boundary. How can we reclaim agency to better shape our cities—turning projects into connected systems that strengthen public life, advance equity, and guide sustainable growth? This session explores the work of four architects leading urban design practice within their firms, demonstrating how they extend influence beyond the building as civic advocates, systems thinkers, development integrators, and public realm collaborators.
Speakers: Trent Tunks (Alamo Architects), Justin Garrison (Lake Flato), Samantha Whitney (TBG Partners), and Ryan Losch (SOM)
Recommended by COTE and EDI
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM** Two TBG Sessions at this time
Designing for the Downstream: Water Stewardship Through Low Impact Development
Location: Room 004
St. Martin’s Hall demonstrates how integrated design teams can advance water stewardship through voluntary Low Impact Development (LID). Located on San Antonio’s West Side, this renovation project set a goal from the outset to responsibly manage stormwater for both on-site performance and downstream watershed health. Architects, civil engineers, landscape architects, and the San Antonio River Authority share strategies, challenges, and lessons learned from implementing LID features that improve water quality, enhance user experience, and strengthen community resilience.
Speakers: Mikel Wilkins (San Antonio River Authority), Courtney Jones (Overland Partners), Kathleen Marchiando (TBG Partners), Ben Setterbo (Setterbo Engineers), and Andy Rowell (TBG Partners)
Recommended by COTE
Friday, October 16:
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
TOUR | A Taste of Pearl
Location: Tour Desk
This tour weaves through the Historic Pearl District, a masterful example of adaptive reuse where a century-old brewery has evolved into a vibrant culinary and cultural hub. Beginning in former bottling and glass facilities now animated by markets and kitchens, the walk traces how industrial structures were re-imagined as places of gathering and daily life. Along the way, guests encounter spaces for food, wellness, music, retail, and living. The tour celebrates craft, community, and urban design in one walkable experience.
This tour will visit Pullman Market; Mezquite; Isidore; Nicosi; Hotel Emma; Jue Let. Food samples will be provided along the way and are included in the tour price.
The architects are:
Pullman Market — Design Architects: Clayton Korte and Baldridge Architects; Interior Design: Joel Mozersky Design; Landscape: Word + Carr Design Group
Mezquite (Pullman Market tenant) — Part of Pullman Market interior/tenant fit‑outs: Clayton Korte & Baldridge Architects; Interior elements influenced by Joel Mozersky Design
Isidore — Architect: Baldridge Architects (Burton Baldridge)
Nicosi — Architect: Baldridge Architects (Burton Baldridge).
Hotel Emma — Original Brewhouse (1894): August Maritzen; Adaptive-Reuse Renovation: Roman and Williams (design & interiors), Three: Living Architecture, and Ford, Powell & Carson (Architect of Record)
Pearl 2050 Master Plan – Architect: Overland Partners, TBG Partners, and Phil Myrick
Pearl Brewery Redevelopment Master Plan & Jue Let — Architect/Designer: Lake|Flato (Grace Boudewyns, lead designer)
The tour guides are:
Pearl: Bill Shown, Silver Ventures and Jeff Fetzer
Pullman Market: Catherine Gavin, Clayton Corte and Raymond Catro, Clayton Corte
Isidore and Nicosi: Brian Bedrosian, Baldridge Architects
Jue Let: Grace Boudewyns
Saturday, October 17:
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
TOUR | San Antonio Botanical Garden
Location: Tour Desk
Explore the San Antonio Botanical Garden through a guided tour framed by past, present, and future. Participants will see how earlier investments and design decisions have shaped today’s Garden, experience its current spaces and operations, and learn about the forward-looking Master Plan guiding its future growth. The tour highlights strategies for climate-responsive design, water conservation, and the integration of architecture and landscape in a dynamic visitor experience.