NEXO Exhibit Opening and Pecha Kucha | Tuesday, September 15, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
AIA-SA | 1344 South Flores Street, San Antonio Texas 78204
Check out the exhibit, and stay for Pecha Kucha-style presentations! This Hispanic Heritage Month event is free and open to the public by reservation.
Designers Ana Garcia Merino and Adrian Cardenas will share the stage Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the evening opening of the Latinos in Architecture NEXO exhibit at AIA San Antonio headquarters. As presenters at the fast-paced slide talks, Ana and Adrian will spotlight their work on Judson ISD Selma Elementary, showcasing their cultural connections to the architecture of this innovative learning environment.
– Ana Garcia Merino, Associate AIA
“The central courtyard at Selma Elementary resonated with me,” she notes. “Not just as a familiar memory, but as essential in design for learning environments. Creating safe spaces for active play, social interaction and connection to nature enhances students’ ability to focus and perform well. I appreciate the attention to detail we provided in laying out the courtyard, articulating the landscape with play hills, trees, and a shaded playscape. Raised garden beds also add an accessible connection to nature – kids enjoy learning more when they can be hands-on.”
Ana was born in Monterrey, México, and lived in both the southern and northern parts of the country growing up – an early introduction to the adaptation of architectural styles to suit specific landscapes. In 2004, her family moved to South Texas, and she completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Texas Tech – the Panhandle Plains providing yet another stark contrast in landscape.
While in school, Garcia Merino founded BLNKA, an organization dedicated to studying urban areas in need of activation. In professional practice, Ana leverages the uniqueness of her multicultural life experience and education, contributing to collaborative teams developing preK-12 learning environments and multifamily housing.
– Adrian Cardenas
Adrian added a significant storytelling element to the design of the school by tapping into graphic design skills. “We added both representational and illustrative graphics throughout the school. Images of local landscape create a familiar connection, and imaginative worlds of abstract landscapes inspire learning through exploration.”
Adrian is deeply inspired by the cultural heritage and landscapes of South Texas. Graduating with honors from the University of Houston, he is dedicated to creating spaces that are both functional and meaningfully connected to their surroundings. Originally from Laredo, his career includes roles at previous architecture firms where he focused on projects emphasizing sustainability and community impact.
NEXO Exhibit at AIA-SA, September 15 – October 15, 2026.
The NEXO exhibit features gallery-style presentations by local practitioners active in Latinos in Architecture. The exhibit will be on display at AIA San Antonio’s Southtown offices.
Alamo submitted two projects noted for their anticipated positive impact on the San Antonio Hispanic community: Judson ISD Selma Elementary, and The UT Health San Antonio Center for Brain Health. Both are programmed to serve the San Antonio area Hispanic community: Selma Elementary is in a majority-minority community, and the Center for Brain Health is dedicated to the study, treatment, and cure for Alzheimer’s disease, which disproportionately impacts the Hispanic community.
