Located at the San Antonio Zoo, this historic structure was originally built in 1920 as a donkey barn. Its distinctive Alamo-style façade was added in 1956 by the San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department. Over the years, the building was converted into office space and now houses the Zoo’s administrative staff.

Sunland led the renovation of a portion of the lower level, which had turned into a cluttered catch-all space with a few desks squeezed in. The rest of the building remained fully occupied and operational during construction.

Because of the building’s historic designation and rustic character, our team had to strike a balance between preserving its charm and making the space more functional. Project goals included maintaining the integrity of all historic features, which meant nothing could be covered or altered. This constraint shaped every design and construction decision. The renovated area also lacked natural light, so we introduced a lighting strategy that provided effective general and task lighting while still complementing the building’s historic character.

To accommodate the required number of offices and workstations, we added a mezzanine. This solution required precise fieldwork to ensure proper head clearances. We also relocated sanitary and fire sprinkler lines and coordinated the removal of old conduits, lights, and other leftover elements from past renovations.

The finished space blends character and function. It features open ceilings, glass-front offices, and a greenhouse-style conference room that preserves the building’s historic charm while supporting the Zoo’s evolving operational needs.