Yanaguana Interpretive Center

The purpose of this project was to develop an interpretive center that highlights the history, ecology, and cultural significance of the San Antonio River Walk and its connection to the city. Inspired by our field trip to San Antonio and our visit to Confluence Park, we were given a unique opportunity to make the San Antonio River Foundation's goals come to life on a site located directly on the San Antonio River. The name "Yanaguana Interpretive Center" comes from the Indigenous name for the San Antonio River meaning "Land of the Sprirt Waters." The main concepts of our project design are connectivity and education. Connecting the site back to the history of what San Antonio was built upon further strengthens our core concepts. We designed every part of the program to be either visually or physically connected to nature so that you are surrounded by what the foundation strives to educate the public about. Physical connection is what our whole design was centered around. The uninterrupted pedestrian path from the River Walk through the site and to surrounding businesses is what allows the public area of the site to be used by the whole community. Visually, the short views are zoned in on the site's flora and San Antonio river. The long views from the third floor roof gardens connect visitors to downtown San Antonio. We believe that education should be accessible for everyone and the connection of a community to its roots is truly invaluable.