A San Antonio Market Pairs Sustainable Agriculture With Biophilic Design

Clayton Korte has been at the heart of the Pearl District’s renaissance since 2013, leading the design and restoration of spaces such as Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery, the Bottling Dept. Food Hall, and Stable Hall, a 19th-century stable turned music venue. Like its predecessors, Pullman Market represents the district’s commitment to blending culinary innovation with thoughtful architecture. “Pullman Market offers a symphony of sensory delights,” says Clayton Korte’s Sam Manning. “The building’s original materials show history and patina that provide a stunning contrast to the new elements.”

Manning and team preserved the nearly 54,000-square-foot building’s shell and structure to not only manage waste but “add a layer of grit and texture that enhances the experience of the market.” The industrial facility’s original signage and markers were kept and there are “little relics everywhere.” The building features original clay tile and polished concrete floors, while the former loading dock has been transformed into a light-filled courtyard. The roof was upgraded for energy performance, while new low-E insulated windows reduce heat gain. “The Pearl also does a great job campus-wide,” he adds. “They reclaim water and use graywater for irrigation, which supports the landscape’s long-term sustainability.”