Alamo Architects is thrilled to have been selected, individually and as a firm, for three awards at the 2025 AIA San Antonio People + Place Awards. As 2025 AIA-SA President, Associate Lindsay Oppelt, AIA led the People + Place Awards program along with emcee Randy Beamer (host of KLRN’s On the Record).
Alamo staff member Sarah Monroe, Associate AIA, accepted the Rising Star Award, and shared remarks on the challenges of developing a career in architecture, which resonated throughout the evening’s presentation. For more, find her interview on the HerStory podcast series celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Women in Architecture Network (WiA) here.
Our combined projects, Hot Wells at Bexar County Park and Camp Hot Wells together received the Historic Award, accepted by Senior Principal Jim Bailey, AIA. We want to acknowledge Bexar County Heritage Parks, who engaged us to reimagine the ruins of a once-grand mineral well spa resort as a public heritage park. Irby Hightower, FAIA led this complex preservation project, contributing his significant background in urban planning.
We also acknowledge our longtime friend of the office, James Lifshutz, for the unique opportunity to book-end Hot Wells Park with a modern take on spa soaking: Camp Hot Wells. Jim Bailey led design of a lightly constructed “camp” centered on a new mineral well, tapping the very same geothermally heated aquifer that supplied the original hotel pools. Rustic and connected to the natural riparian environment, Camp Hot Wells is welcoming to all. Taken together, the two projects celebrate local history and San Antonio’s foundational connection to water.
Lastly, we are profoundly grateful to receive the Community Impact Award on behalf of our clients at the San Antonio Humane Society for the Leeu Naylor Medical Building, accepted by Senior Principal Billy Lawrence, AIA. Quoting Billy, “It is a tremendously meaningful acknowledgement of the Humane Society’s critical advocacy for the animal population in our metro area, and the service to community delivered through affordable spay and neuter services. We are proud to continue our 25-year dedication to the Society’s mission with ongoing development at the SAHS campus.”
