Campus Master Plan
The Campus Master Plan guides how Trinity’s campus evolves—balancing preservation, growth, and the student experience.
A Campus with a Story
Trinity’s campus stands as one of the nation’s most cohesive collections of mid-century modern architecture. In the 1950s, President James Laurie and architect O’Neil Ford transformed an abandoned rock quarry into what became known as the “Miracle on Trinity Hill.” That original vision continues to guide how the campus evolves—balancing preservation with thoughtful growth.
Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
Rooted in Trinity’s distinctive mid-century modern design, the plan ensures the campus continues to serve future generations while preserving what makes it exceptional. Trinity users logged in with a trinity.edu account may view the plan.
Key Priorities
These key priorities represent the foundational initiatives that will guide campus improvements, enhance the student experience, and support Trinity's future growth while honoring its distinctive character and heritage.
Northern Gateway
Creating a welcoming entrance to campus that strengthens Trinity’s connection to San Antonio.
Pedestrian Corridor
Improving pathways across campus to support movement, accessibility, and connection.
Wayfinding
Implementing a cohesive signage system to make navigating campus more intuitive.
Green Space
Transforming portions of lower campus into expanded intramural and open green space.
Housing Enhancements
Upgrading residence halls and expanding housing options with more single rooms, shared spaces, and independent living for upper-division students.
A Collaborative Vision
The Campus Master Plan reflects a year-and-a-half-long process shaped by faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners. The result is Trinity’s first comprehensive campus plan since O’Neil Ford’s original vision—designed to guide decisions for decades to come.
Historic Campus Recognition
Trinity is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the only Texas campus to be designated a modernist historic district and one of just three in the country.
In 2018, the National Park Service designated the Trinity campus as a National Historic District. The designation honors the architectural vision behind Trinity’s mid-century modern campus. These historic buildings and structures were built between 1952 and 1979.
Boundaries to the historic district encompass all of the university’s buildings designed by O’Neil Ford. The Campus Master Plan reinforces the historic nature of campus and establishes criteria that will guide decisions for renovations, enhancements, space usage, and new construction in the coming decades.