As Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s campus continues to grow, the new Classroom Hall adds administrative and instructional space in a distinctive mission-style building set on the corner of the campus’ second quad. Serving as construction manager-at-risk, SpawGlass broke ground on the project on the 10th anniversary of A&M-San Antonio’s establishment. 

The new 58,000-square-foot facility incorporates state-of-the-art technology into 17 classrooms and a large lecture hall, as well as 51 offices. Educational spaces include an art studio suite, language lab and incubator classroom. The building features modern, clean finishes, including ornamental rails, grand staircases and wood ceilings. 

Incorporating approximately 425 tons of steel, 7,400 bolts, 68,247 square feet of conduit, 130,000 bricks and 300 tons of stone, this building’s most challenging number turned out to be 180: the number of workers on the job at the peak of construction activities. Through April and May, when the COVID-19 pandemic was on the rise in Texas, so was our workforce onsite. 

Superintendent Bobby Miller managed the human aspect of this unpredictable situation the same way he managed every aspect of the project. “Lead by example,” he said. “Always making sure that our workers were sanitizing, that we had sanitizing stations, that we had soap, that I was always wearing my mask.” 

Helping to establish a comfort level for everyone, Bobby wore the silliest masks he could find, even having bunches of colorful or funny masks made and giving them out to anyone who wanted one. “When you know it is a best practice, you lead just by doing it. 

When the superintendent is walking around doing these things, especially early on, it makes it a lot easier for others to do it too.” 

From the perspective of Project Manager Rex Cody, leading by example involved coaching and guiding subcontractors in their business practices during periods of uncertainty. With SpawGlass’ resources and the latest guidelines/ordinances at the ready, Rex was able to help a few of our subcontractors ensure they were able to continue their operations and retain their workers through constantly evolving circumstances. 

Bobby and Rex maintained a positive attitude through unprecedented challenges to build the building and – true to the words of our company’s co-founder, Louis Spaw – build the people on this project. Through their leadership as well as SpawGlass’ continually updated COVID-19 Mitigation Plan, Classroom Hall was completed on time for move-in on July 12. 

As a proven team at A&M-San Antonio, Bobby and Rex have built trust with the owner and lived teamwork on two projects since 2016 when they began preconstruction services for the Science and Technology Building. They have worked in the center of campus for four years, coordinating with different departments, user groups and architects, while classes were held without disruption from construction activities. The successful delivery of these projects has built relationships among project partners and stakeholders as well as helped expand the capabilities and programs A&M-San Antonio can offer future generations of students. 

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