Last updated on May 30th, 2024 at 04:36 pm
Located in Bexar County, San Antonio is a major city in south-central Texas that is best known for its preserved museums, cultural landmarks, and quaint cafes and shops. If you’re looking for an architectural firm to complete a project in San Antonio, this list showcases eight of the city’s leading architectural firms that have designed some of its most recognizable commercial spaces and stunning homes. These firms were chosen based on their excellent backgrounds, unique skill sets, and comprehensive services.
Ford Powell & Carson, Inc.
420 Broadway, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78205
Ford Powell & Carson—or FPC, as it is more commonly known—launched in 1939. Since its inception, it has had the privilege of working on restorations for some of the San Antonio area’s most iconic and recognizable buildings. These include the Tower of the Americas, the Alamo and the Spanish colonial missions, Trinity University, the Urban Segment of the Museum Reach of the River Walk, the San Fernando Cathedral, and many others. FPC is reputable for its extensive range of services, which include planning and programming for historic preservations, architectural and interior design, and construction administration. Featured below is an excellent example of the firm’s talent and expertise.
Designed and completed for the Argo Group, this project completed by FPC in 2012 occupies the top four floors of the IBC Center tower overlooking the San Antonio River. Its all-new and revamped executive floor holds the reception area, public area, and the employee break room, all of which are aligned with the outdoor terrace to maximize daylight.
Beaty Palmer Architects, Inc.
110 Broadway, Suite 600, San Antonio, TX 78205
Beaty Palmer Architects is based in San Antonio, serving not only the city but also the surrounding areas. The firm offers its clients a complete and comprehensive range of architecture, interior design, and planning services. It commits itself to the highest standards of quality and customer service, and takes great pride in the stellar reviews it has earned over the years.
Since its inception in 1993, Beaty Palmer Architects has worked on countless civic, corporate, community, commercial, and custom residential projects, including this featured project. This project, completed in 2017, showcases a fusion of Spanish Colonial and art deco themes. Located in Port San Antonio and spanning over 90,000 square feet, the building is made of durable, site-cast concrete panels with rich, terracotta-toned, monumental-scaled masonry.
Studio8 Architects
4217 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212
Studio8 Architects is composed of a talented and experienced team of creatives, strategists, and designers. Together, they offer the company’s clients an impressive roster of architectural design work. The firm is also noted for its excellent sustainability practices, which assures clients of the high efficiency of its spaces.
The firm has offices in both San Antonio and Austin, which has allowed it to take on numerous projects in both areas, including the project featured here. This project won the Best Small Office Development during the 2021 Impact Awards. It is a multi-tenant office building with top floors that house a covered parking area and a courtyard that is designed to accommodate several patios and balconies. Some other great details include the building’s iran stucco finishes and wood grain touches.
Alamo Architects
1512 South Flores, San Antonio, TX 78204
Alamo Architects is a multi-faceted practice that specializes in institutional, educational, multifamily, and retail architecture, as well as urban planning. In terms of design, it can take on any project regardless of size or scale, and has secured a solid reputation for its planning, interior design, architecture, and sustainability efforts. It has received extensive recognition for its outstanding work, including being named as the Firm of the Year by the Texas Society of Architects in 2014.
Featured here is one of the firm’s impressive projects, the Geekdom Headquarters, that showcases its talent and expertise. Geekdom Headquarters, which sits on the seventh floor of the Rand Building in downtown San Antonio, required an extensive transformation. After Alamo Architects’ work on the building, the project now features excellent natural lighting, removable wall panels to allow for expanding workspaces, and two new conference rooms.
Tobin Smith Architect
2201 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212
Tobin Smith Architect takes great pride in the outstanding reputation it has secured for itself in the San Antonio area. It has been in business since 2007 and provides clients with award-winning services. The firm assists its clients from inception all the way through completion, and is best known for its unique portfolio that showcases both commercial and residential projects. At the firm’s helm is its founder and namesake, Tobin Smith, who serves as Co-Chair of the American Institute of Architects San Antonio Chapter’s Homes Tour and Co-Chair of the chapter’s Custom Residential Architects Network group. He was also previously the chair of the chapter’s Lecture Series and served on the chapter’s Executive Committee, as well as on the Texas Society of Architects’ Honor Awards Committee.
Showcased here is one of the firm’s most impressive residential projects. Labeled in its portfolio as the Otto Haus, this project was originally designed and constructed back in the ‘50s. After Tobin Smith Architect’s work, some of the home’s best details include its original wood siding and conceptual roof that the firm folded and extended.
Fisher Heck Architects
915 South Saint Marys St., San Antonio, TX 78205
With over three decades of industry experience, Fisher Heck Architects extends its services throughout San Antonio. It is known for its highly personalized packages, which address each project’s unique concerns, budget constraints, and individual needs. Its team makes use of 3D software along with Building Information Modeling (BIM) to better communicate its designs and best embody its clients’ visions.
Featured here is the firm’s work on the Bluffview House. Located in San Antonio, this project was designed and constructed back in 2000, when the firm’s team was tasked with providing full architectural work. The project spans over 6,000 square feet and showcases excellent views of the nearby golf course and city.
JMS Architects Inc.
2213 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212
JMS Architects is best known for its affinity for modern architecture and specializes in residential projects, though it occasionally takes on commercial projects as well. It has amassed an impressive portfolio which features amusement spaces, offices, religious projects, retail areas, and restaurants. The company is proud to be a small, woman-owned firm that has had the opportunity to work with some of San Antonio’s best and leading engineers.
The firm makes use of a comprehensive design-build process, which allows it to keep all of its projects in-house. This ensures that clients don’t have to find additional subcontractors, which improves the efficiency and minimizes the stress of their projects.
Robey Architecture, Inc.
314 E. Commerce St., Suite 850, San Antonio, TX 78205
Robey Architecture is a small firm that provides excellent architectural solutions marked with contemporary minimalist compositions. Its portfolio is diverse and showcases its expertise for both modern and traditional themes. The firm’s services include urban and site master planning, adaptive reuse of existing structures, and new construction of various building types.
Featured here is one of Robey Architecture’s best homes. Located in San Antonio, this project spans over 3,600 square feet and features an L-shaped floor plan with excellent views of the city. Some of the home’s best details include its stucco touches, seam metal roofs, and limestone elements.
