Since the firm’s foundation in 1984, Alamo Architects has occupied a singular place in the San Antonio architecture community. Our workmanlike moniker, early wildcard projects, and readiness to question the status quo set us apart in the market. We believed we could make a difference in the community, and we have – both in the built environment and with innovative planning for progressive city growth.
The Fairmount Hotel relocation and adaptive reuse is an audacious play for historic preservation.
The unflappable Mrs. Hudson begins her multi-decade Alamo career.
For San Antonio’s Papal visit, we re-create the steps and towers of a mission church to stage outdoor mass for 350,000 of the faithful.
We pop the champagne at our pretty swell 20th anniversary celebration.
Campus master plan and significant buildings for Alamo Colleges.
Breaking the mold of regional shopping centers, it is named ICSC Shopping Center of the Year, a global international award, in its first year.
Our adaptive reuse of an abandoned industrial property lights a bright little beacon.
Irby Hightower and Mayor Emeritus Lila Cockrell oversee the first major River Walk expansion, north of downtown.
“Our interior design for UT Health San Antonio Academic Teaching & Learning Center merges and enhances the learning experience with modern functionality.” – Victor Castillo, RID
Artifacts of the Big Tex grain processing plant give character to this urban infill development, set alongside the San Antonio River trail system.
Coach Beverly Baldwin and her winning Alamo team take a moment to savor sweet, sweet victory – one of our four San Antonio Architectural League titles.
Irby Hightower and Mayor Emeritus Lila Cockrell (in crowd) at celebratory ribbon cutting
In partnership with Treanor, we complete an engineering neighborhood on the UTSA Main Campus with a new classroom, lab, and makerspace building.
A principal’s quote sums it up: “It’s impossible to feel sad in this interior.” This new high school garners an industry award for wellbeing.
Our Hemisfair redevelopment plan for this downtown landmark provides economic sustainability for Civic Park, San Antonio’s new “front porch.”
A milestone project for our team, this collaborative project with Page/ highlights our growing portfolio of healthcare facilities.
At 40, we are proud – and somewhat astonished – that our work in architecture, planning, interior design, adaptive reuse and landscape architecture is all over town and the region. In collaboration with many visionary clients and development agencies over our first four decades, we have made an enduring, positive imprint.
As the multidisciplinary design firm of nearly 70 people we are today, we are still true believers in the transformative power of design.
The San Antonio Business Journal ranked Alamo Architects second among 20 architecture firms in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area, with 20 registered architects and a staff of 67.
A habit of active listening supports our collaborative work style and brings out the best in projects and people.
Through our strongly collaborative approach, we have developed long lasting working relationships with our clients. Together, we have achieved excellence over a wide range of project types: in higher education and research, preK-12 schools, interior design, multifamily housing, campus and urban master planning, parks and public spaces, retail development and placemaking.
Irby Hightower, FAIA and team have contributed to local and regional planning projects, transportation studies, and economic development initiatives with far-reaching impacts. Irby is a frequent public speaker, often sharing lessons from many years co-chairing the River Oversight Committee during two major expansions to the San Antonio River Walk. Principal Jim Bailey has been instrumental in refining City policy to prioritize equitable housing. To purse his commitment to improving the quality of urban life in San Antonio, he founded ActivateSA.org, a working group focused on walkable/bikeable neighborhoods and trail systems. In the realm of animal welfare, Billy Lawrence led design of a groundbreaking pet adoption facility, folding in lessons learned in placemaking for retail environments; the San Antonio Humane Society campus is now a model for organizations nationwide. Jerry Lammers has tirelessly dedicated time and expertise to school district advisory boards over decades, and Nicki Marrone has built awareness around equity in our industry through local and state leadership in the American Institute of Architects (AIA). She and principal Beverly Baldwin are active in a rotation of perennial programs that mentor young people on educational and career paths in architecture.
Alamo was named as Texas Society of Architects’ Firm of the Year for 2014 – a milestone honor we shared with our clients, for their vision and trust in our work. We paused to reflect on the culture that sets us apart: a balance of rigorous practice and inclusive team spirit that might, in fact, be our superpower.
Irby Hightower, FAIA and Mike McGlone, FAIA have been elevated to Fellow by the American Institute of Architects for their respective contributions to architecture and planning in San Antonio. McGlone and principal Nicki Marrone have each served as AIA San Antonio president and president of the Texas Society of Architects. In 2025, Associate Lindsay Oppelt is 2025 Chapter President, and Senior Associate Jeffrey Watson is serving as Treasurer. Mike McGlone continues to advocate at the AIA national level, and several members of Alamo staff participate in AIA-SA programming.
According to my mom, being as young and inexperienced (or broke) as we were made us the perfect pick to take on moving The Fairmount.
In 1985, a moonshot project brought our fledgling firm local and national attention, opening doors to growth. Recalls founding partner Irby Hightower, FAIA. “Since we had already been involved with its preservation documentation, and certainly needed the work, we were perfect for it. The Hotel’s move captured a lot of press, and the project became our first big calling card.”
Not long after the Fairmount move, Alamo won the plum assignment of creating a 144-acre celebratory site for the 1987 Papal Mass. A high-profile project, it pushed our small team into the national spotlight for a hot minute. The highs – designing for a celebrity event, and the lows – watching the backdrop blow down in a freak windstorm, and improvising a new stage 72 hours out – were character-defining.
The spirit we discovered then, of rolling up our sleeves to problem-solve, asking the “why not” questions, and pouring belief into community – continues today, across all sectors of our practice.
Artifacts of the Big Tex grain processing plant give character to this urban infill development, set alongside the San Antonio River trail system.
Coach Beverly Baldwin and her winning Alamo team take a moment to savor sweet, sweet victory – one of our four San Antonio Architectural League titles.
Irby Hightower and Mayor Emeritus Lila Cockrell (in crowd) at celebratory ribbon cutting
In partnership with Treanor, we complete an engineering neighborhood on the UTSA Main Campus with a new classroom, lab, and makerspace building.
A principal’s quote sums it up: “It’s impossible to feel sad in this interior.” This new high school garners an industry award for wellbeing.
Our Hemisfair redevelopment plan for this downtown landmark provides economic sustainability for Civic Park, San Antonio’s new “front porch.”
A milestone project for our team, this collaborative project with Page/ highlights our growing portfolio of healthcare facilities.
1512 South Flores St.
San Antonio, TX 78204
210.227.2612