Irby Hightower, FAIA

As a founding principal of Alamo Architects, Irby’s commitment to the urban ideal informs the firm’s approach to everyday urban design problems and yields innovative solutions that fit within contemporary development constraints. His experience with the firm’s award-winning historic preservation, retail, multi-family, and planning projects along with his community service, helps him create great places. His more than 16-year quest as co-Chairman of the San Antonio River Oversight Committee with former Mayor Lila Cockrell to save long-neglected sections of the San Antonio River led to the massive Museum Reach and Mission Reach revitalization projects. He applied his holistic view of the city to the Center City Strategic Framework Plan, which led to the “Decade of Downtown” and generated substantial private investment in the city’s core. American Institute of Architects recognized Mr. Hightower with its highest professional honor, naming him to the AIA College of Fellows in 2010 and in 2012 the Texas Society of Architects concurred and awarded him the James Pfluger Award for community service. Irby continues to work on high-profile projects such as Ruby City, Frost Tower/Tower Park, HemisFair Park, along with new development and high-rise retrofits in downtown San Antonio.

Bachelor of Architecture, University of Texas at Austin | 1977