Irby Hightower, FAIA, is a founding principal. His urban design practice is focused on planning that connects high-density, pedestrian-focused districts to their surrounding communities. His leadership on the steering committee for the 13-mile expansion of the San Antonio River Walk, a multi-agency undertaking of broad vision and dedication over two decades, is a prime example. Irby led Alamo’s planning team on the creation of the urban design frameworks of both the San Antonio Center City Strategic Development Plan and the San Pedro Creek Culture Park and wrote the related CoSA design guidelines, RIO-7. For the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation’s (HPARC) the team wrote the urban design manuals for Civic and Tower Parks. Each is a foundational roadmap for robust, economically resilient downtown development. San Antonio’s rich history, culture, and unique urban form have strengthened Irby’s appreciation for solutions derived from context, and the corollary belief that every part of a city deserves good design.
Trent Tunks, RA, AICP, is an urban planner committed to creating more connected, inclusive, and resilient communities. His work blends innovative, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible planning strategies with a deep understanding of how people experience place. Trent’s background spans urban planning, streetscape design, adaptive reuse, and multi-family housing projects, where he consistently emphasizes context-sensitive and community-driven solutions. A strong believer in the power of engagement, he prioritizes collaboration with residents and stakeholders to ensure each project reflects the values and needs of the people it serves. As a planner, architect, and wheelchair user, Trent brings a unique perspective that informs his advocacy for equitable, accessible, and vibrant public environments—an outlook he advances through leadership roles such as his work with the San Antonio Housing Trust Sustainability and Universal Design Committee.
Jim Bailey, AIA, is a senior principal. He has embraced urban activism by jump-starting ActivateSA.org, a local coalition dedicated to complete streets. Jim’s engagement with City policy also includes developing the San Antonio Housing Policy Framework, informed by experiences working with inner city communities on both new construction and retrofits of existing, aging city properties. Aligned with our work in multifamily housing, we believe every community needs and deserves excellent, affordable places to live.
Billy Lawrence, AIA, is a founding principal. He has led the firm’s practice in retail, mixed use development, and placemaking. His retail clients such as Simon Properties, The Rouse Company, Affinius Capital, General Growth Properties, Brookfield Properties, Hines, and Neiman Marcus represent the premier tier of retail developers nationwide. His work in national retail includes The Shops at La Cantera in San Antonio, Texas, The RIM Commons Park, and new Neiman Marcus stores in Austin and Fort Worth, Texas.
Jennifer Frantz Melde, PLA, is a professionally licensed landscape architect with broad experience in community master plans, parks and trail planning, and commercial and residential development. Leveraging her passion for sustainability and problem solving ability, she works with clients to celebrate the unique natural beauty of the Central and South Texas environment. With over 20 years’ experience, she is on a lifelong path to expand her expertise in sustainable design, renewable materials, and native plants.
