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The Alamo Story: Pull Up a Chair

Moving the Fairmount. In 1985, a highly unusual assignment opened doors for a very young, very hungry firm. Nothing extends the realm of possibility like being just crazy enough, seen in retrospect.

Our seriously humble beginnings.

Alamo Architects began in 1984 as a partnership among friends. Asthe scrappiest of small startups, we weathered the brutal economicclimate of the early 1980s on small commissions. A moonshot project in 1985 opened bigger doors for us, and over nearly fourdecades since, we have enjoyed the good fortune of growing into arobust, multidisciplinary firm.

Now, as a company of nearly 60 people, our incoming projectscontinue to grow in scope and complexity. Alamo leadership is madeup of seasoned architects and interior designers who direct teamssupporting an expanding universe of clients – many with years-longrelationships, we are proud to say.

Nearly 40 years on, it's still safe to say our teams look at projects a different way.

Our "Why not?" is guided by the belief that good architecture can make the world better. The belief there are are no small projects, and that a unique solution evolves from solid process.

Bold Strokes:
UTSA Sculpture Studio
Sensitive site:
The Flats at Big Tex
The unexpected:
Hawthorne Academy

Beyond buildings:
Visioning, Community Advocacy, and Leadership

As a firm, we have meaningfully engaged in bridging the built environment to the community that uses it. We recognize the value of this kind of dedicated engagement as an investment in the successful future of the firm. Key Examples:

Irby Hightower, FAIA invested nearly two decades
as co-chair of the San Antonio River Walk Oversight Committee, which directed design of the Museum Reach and Mission Reach, visionary initiatives that profoundly influences downtown development.

Senior principal Jim Bailey foundeda non-profit complete-streets and trails advocacy organization, ActivateSA; and was also instrumental in development of a ten-year, multi-billion dollar plan to keep housing affordable for all San Antonians.

Senior principal Nicole Marrone is advancing discourse on architectural practice in the region as president of the Texas Society of Architects. Her
leadership in our academic projects involves her in community dialogue that informs design and invests parents, students, and educators.

Working collaboratively fosters excellence.

As a firm, we are resourceful, creative, and well respected for our high standard of excellence in every aspect of practice. Working collectively, we tackle projects of every scope, bringing our best to endeavors large and small. Our workplace culture is open, progressive, and inclusive; an attitude that extends to a unique level of accessibility and responsiveness in client relationships. Beyond everyday camaraderie, we cultivate strong teams through shared mission and trust.
Together, everybody wins.