Architect David Adjaye Designs Ruby City, San Antonio's Latest Art Center

Elizabeth Fazzare

Ruby City was born in a dream. Months before her death in 2007, the late San Antonio artist, patron, and collector Linda Pace had a vision of a hilltop complex with towers like crystals. Upon waking, she sketched her fantasy, later tapping AD100 architect Sir David Adjaye to adapt it as a hometown showcase for her trove of postwar and contemporary treasures.

Its architect, David Adjaye.
Its architect, David Adjaye.
Portrait by Josh Huskin. Courtesy of Ruby City and David Adjaye Associates.

“I call it a little temple for art,” Adjaye says of the nearly 14,500-square-foot complex, which opens to the public October 13. Constructed in collaboration with local firm Alamo Architects, the building, its sculpture garden, and its plaza are, true to its name and Pace’s vision, all red, with tinted concrete surfaces that sparkle thanks to embedded glass. (The team conducted upwards of 20 tests to ensure the steadfast shade.) Outside, the structure seems to refract as visitors move around it, its angular shape shifting from monumental to intimate. Inside, three naturally lit galleries nod to historic artists’ studios, with a gabled roof in one and clerestory windows in another. Inaugural exhibitions include a group show aptly titled “Waking Dream.”

See More of Ruby City, San Antonio's Newest Jewel Box Art Center

The Jewel Box room, for meetings and special events, is wrapped in pine and decorated with a polished concrete table with chairs, all designed by Adjaye.
The Jewel Box room, for meetings and special events, is wrapped in pine and decorated with a polished concrete table with chairs, all designed by Adjaye.
Photo: Mark Menjivar / Courtesy of Ruby City, Linda Pace Foundation.
A gallery.
A gallery.
Photo: Mark Menjivar / Courtesy of Ruby City, Linda Pace Foundation.
Clerestory windows light a gallery.
Clerestory windows light a gallery.
Photo: Mark Menjivar / Courtesy of Ruby City, Linda Pace Foundation.
The entry is a deep red, designed by Adjaye to allow visitors' eyes to adjust from the bright Texas sun.
The entry is a deep red, designed by Adjaye to allow visitors' eyes to adjust from the bright Texas sun.
Photo: Mark Menjivar / Courtesy of Ruby City, Linda Pace Foundation.
A skylight creates a halo above the main stairwell. The window at the end of the corridor is oriented to provide a vista of Chris Park, a green space dedicated to Linda Pace's late son.
A skylight creates a halo above the main stairwell. The window at the end of the corridor is oriented to provide a vista of Chris Park, a green space dedicated to Linda Pace's late son.
Photo: Dror Baldinger
A concrete sun shade protects the interior and frames a view onto the exterior sculpture garden.
A concrete sun shade protects the interior and frames a view onto the exterior sculpture garden.
Photo: Dror Baldinger

“Ruby City honors Pace’s mission to inspire a closer relationship with art,” says Adjaye. “The galleries are gentle nods to where art is made.” The architect admits that, prior to Pace’s invitation, he had known San Antonio only through stories from artist friends who had been in residence at her nonprofit Artpace. But Ruby City’s design is informed by that outsider perspective. “It’s a synthesis of her vision and the call to me to contribute to this wonderful place.” rubycity.org

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest