Because the theme of HemisFair was about people, less emphasis was put on bold architectural styles like other World’s Fairs / Expos of the past. As a result the primary exterior designs for HemisFair followed more clean and simple lines. Though smaller in scale when compared to Seattle or New York’s World’s Fairs for example, the pavilions at HemisFair ’68 were packed full of exciting and informative exhibits, theaters and gift shops.

Corporate Pavilions

According to the Official HemisFair ’68 Guidebook, corporate exhibitors chose their own architects and interior designers to construct their pavilions.

National Pavilions

The pavilion buildings were constructed by San Antonio Fair, Inc., but were finished out by the exhibiting nation. The only two pavilions featuring their own designs were the United States and State of Texas pavilions.

Permanent Structures

In keeping with tradition, most structures were designed and constructed for temporary use and demolished after the Fair was over. However, a hand full of structures were designed and constructed for permanent use after the Fair.

Permanent structures included:

United States Pavilion           San Antonio Federal Courthouse
Texas Pavilion                       Institute of Texan Cultures
Tower of the Americas          San Antonio landmark & tourist attraction
Convention Center Complex Same function