Lake Flato Architects

A new chapter is taking shape at Trinity School of Midland. Lake Flato is proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of Trinity’s transformative “Light the Way” campaign—a bold investment in the future of the school and the students it serves. The campus expansion includes a new Lower School, all-school library, expanded chapel, welcoming front door, and landscapes designed for learning and play. Rooted in Trinity’s mission to nurture mind, body, and spirit, the master plan creates daylit classrooms, meaningful connections to the outdoors, and shared spaces that will support generations of students to come. Congratulations to Head of School Shelby Hammer, the Trinity community, and the many donors and leaders whose vision and generosity made this milestone possible. We’re grateful to be part of this meaningful investment in the future of Midland. To see renderings and learn more about the project, visit: https://bit.ly/4edpgyY. Client: Trinity School of Midland Master Planner & Architect: Lake Flato Architects Landscape: Surroundings Studio MEP: DBR Structural: Datum Engineers Civil: Dunaway Contractor: Bellows Construction LF Team: Brandi Rickels, Jamie Sartory, Rebecca Sibley, Hayley Alexis Hayes, Mayle Lester, Anisha Kamat.

The Ford Revival project reimagines a 1949 mid-century modern home in San Antonio originally designed by O’Neil Ford. Thoughtfully renovated to preserve the home’s architectural legacy while adapting it for contemporary family life, the project recently received an award from AIA San Antonio’s CRAN program for residential design. A once-disconnected 1970s sunken den was transformed into a warm and welcoming gathering space anchored by a custom two-sided sofa, while timeless materials including terrazzo, brass, and white oak create continuity between the home’s original structure and later additions. Previously enclosed and constrained, the kitchen now serves as the heart of the home—a light-filled space framed by corner windows and a skylight that draws natural light deep into the interior. Explore the full story behind this thoughtful transformation in the Dwell feature linked here: https://bit.ly/4wUE9xI. Photography: Charlie Schuck Architecture: Lake Flato Architects Builder: Troy Jesse Construction Structural Engineer: Accutech Consultants Civil Engineer: JP Eckart, LLC Landscape Design: Southern Landscapes and Site Works Texas Lighting Design: Mathews Lighting Group Interior Design: Office of Tangible Space Cabinetry Design: Alpha Millwork Brick Restoration: Traditional Masonry Specialty Metals: Ted Voss Custom Drapery: Shangri-la Homestead Color Consultant: Jim Smith LF Team: Vicki Yuan, Jayme Gritch, Will McInnes and Evan Hotary.

Lake Flato team members Kate Sector Gregg and Miguel Angel Elizardo will present at EDRA57, the annual conference hosted by the Environmental Design Research Association, taking place May 27–30 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Centered on the theme of "Embracing Regional Sustainability: Networks for People and Places," this year’s conference convenes researchers, designers, and practitioners to explore how environmental design, resilient infrastructure, and community networks can foster more sustainable and connected places. You can catch Kate and Miguel at the following sessions: ▪️ Advancing Sustainable Architecture: Tools To Design, Simulate, Succeed & Achieve WELL Platinum Friday, May 29 | 4:30–5:45 p.m. Kate and Miguel will join Bela Nigudkar of WSP Built Ecology to discuss the research, simulation tools, and design strategies behind the renovation of Lake Flato’s San Antonio office, which achieved WELL Platinum certification.. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gkrAfFxW ▪️ Connecting Place, Performance, and People: A Regional Post Occupancy Study of Daylight and Thermal Comfort in South Central Texas Saturday, May 30 | 8:00–9:15 a.m. How do buildings actually perform once people move in? Kate will join Shreya Mehta, LEED AP Mehta of the University of Texas at San Antonio to present research examining the real-world impacts of glazing, shading, and daylighting strategies in educational and workplace buildings across South Central Texas. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gHbuWGgq

University of the Incarnate Word’s Founders Hall is a transformative adaptive reuse project nearing completion in downtown San Antonio, with doors set to open this fall. Originally designed in 1955 by Atlee Ayres, this International Style landmark is being thoughtfully restored and reimagined as the new home for the University of the Incarnate Word’s Center for the Americas. The renewed facility will include flexible classrooms, faculty offices, collaborative student spaces, and areas for public lectures, cultural programming, and community engagement. As Lake Flato partner Ryan Yaden shared during a recent media tour, the design creates “a stronger connection to the building’s original bones” while introducing bronze, terrazzo, Talavera tile, and warm wood accents that reflect the culture and craftsmanship of San Antonio and the broader Americas. This fall, Founders Hall will serve as a welcoming academic and cultural hub that honors the building’s legacy while fostering global connections, interdisciplinary learning, and community dialogue. You can read more about the project’s transformation here: https://bit.ly/4eWpfAv Architect of Record: Lake Flato Architects Landscape Architect: SWAgroup Structural: Datum Engineers MEP: CEG Civil: Pape-Dawson AV: Datacom Contractor: Joeris General Contractors, LLC LF Team: Ryan Yaden, Kate Stuteville, AIA, NCARB, Caroline Cox, AIA, NCARB, Jeff Olivares, AIA, Aiza Paulson, and Daniel Lazarine.

Join our team! Lake Flato is seeking a Business Development Manager to support the continued growth and visibility of our practice. Based in San Antonio, this role will work closely with firm leadership to build relationships, advance strategic BD priorities, and help shape opportunities across markets and communities. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys connecting people, organizing initiatives, and translating long-term strategy into thoughtful action. The role blends relationship management, market engagement, pursuit strategy, CRM leadership, and emerging technology to support the future of business development. More information about the position and how to apply can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gmr36if4

The transformation of 600 Congress in Austin underscores the power of intentional, craft-driven design. Recently featured in Dezeen, the renovation reimagines the 1984 office building with a renewed focus on materiality, detail, and the evolving needs of the modern workplace. By methodically stripping away past alterations, we restored the integrity of the original architecture while elevating the environment through precise material choices and meticulous detailing. "We were inspired by the original lobby design, which had a central floor opening in the shape of a circle on the main lobby level," Lake Flato Associate Partner Jenna Steinbeck, AIA told Dezeen. This historical cue guided our interventions. Focusing on the most impactful areas, we introduced a thoughtfully crafted palette of white oak, textural plaster, and light terrazzo floors to replace the previous dark, artificial surfaces. A 35-foot green wall now anchors the lobby, drawing natural light downward and grounding the interior in biophilic principles. Above, the amenity level on the twenty-sixth floor extends this same design philosophy. We transformed an underutilized roof into a lush, occupiable terrace, featuring a precisely engineered steel canopy, warm teak decking, and custom steel planters with native landscaping. Swipe to experience the before and after of this revitalization. Read the complete Dezeen feature here: https://bit.ly/4dmUuSO Design Architect & Interiors: Lake Flato Architects Architect of Record: BOKA Powell Landscape Architect: Blacksmith Collaborative Structural: Architectural Engineers Collaborative MEP: Wiley Engineering Art Curation: CoCollect Client/Developer: Beacon Capital Partners Photography: Chase Daniel LF Team: Jenna Steinbeck, AIA, Chris Krajcer, Cole Bennette, Brannon Heake

Lavaca House, located in San Antonio’s historic Lavaca neighborhood, is featured in ELLE Decor’s recent roundup of “17 Brilliant Outdoor Decorating Ideas That'll Make You Never Want to Go Inside.” The design vision for Lavaca House, described as “buttoned up, but also very organic,” balances clean, modern lines with playful, eclectic touches that reflect the homeowner’s unique collections and personality. This approach extends seamlessly to the outdoor spaces, where a reimagined courtyard embraces the Texas climate to create a harmonious indoor-outdoor connection. The courtyard features a spa-worthy limestone pool with a water feature, a full outdoor kitchen, and lush Texan landscaping that transforms the space into a private sanctuary. These thoughtful design elements highlight the power of collaboration and craftsmanship, bringing the home’s distinctive character to life and offering timeless inspiration for indoor-outdoor living. Read more: https://bit.ly/4nqesAM Interiors: Lake Flato Landscape Design: Southern Landscapes Structural Engineer: AccuTech Consultants Mechanical Engineer: Lone Star Mechanical Civil Engineer: WGA Lighting Design: Studio Lumina Color Consultants: Greg Mannino + Jim Smith Electrician: Blackmon Electric AV: The Source Pool: Liquid Assets Masonry: Curtis Hunt General Contractor: Rubiola Construction Photography: Douglas Friedman Styled by Jenny O'Connor LF team: Vicki Yuan & Deborah Lee

Last week, leaders in Lake Flato's Learning Studio—Brandi Rickels, Rebecca Sibley, and Jennifer Chorosevic, AIA, NCARB, LFA—participated in The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on Architecture for Education's Spring Conference in Seattle. Over three inspiring days, the team toured exceptional educational projects, explored emerging ideas shaping learning environments, and exchanged insights with peers on best practices for designing spaces that foster belonging, resilience, and innovation. Featured project visits included: - Northwood Elementary School by Mahlum - Discovery Hall at University of Washington Bothell by Hacker - Sinegal Center for Science & Innovation at Seattle University by Mithun & Page And, of course, no trip to Seattle would be complete without taking in the view from the top of the Space Needle! The conference theme—Designing Belonging: Reciprocity, Resilience, and Regeneration—offered a meaningful framework for conversations about how educational environments can better support students, educators, and communities. Learn more about the conference here: https://lnkd.in/ebRNFrnd

The Headwaters at the Comal in New Braunfels, TX continues to grow as a model for ecological restoration and community engagement. We recently celebrated the completion of Phase 2 at the Evening of Gratitude opening event with New Braunfels Utilities. Situated on the banks of the Comal Springs, the second largest spring system west of the Mississippi, this 16-acre site has been transformed from a former industrial complex into a hub for education, habitat restoration, and ecosystem regeneration. With Phase 1 complete and open to the public, the project has already uncapped a major springhead, restored riparian zones, and revitalized habitats for native species. Phase 2 built on this success through the adaptive reuse of a former warehouse into a new community meeting and education space for up to 200 people, creating new opportunities for gatherings, events, and public engagement. Looking ahead, Phase 3 will complete the campus vision with an immersive interpretation of the Edwards Aquifer ecosystem. We are proud to collaborate with New Braunfels Utilities, Ten Eyck Landscape Architects, Inc., and Blackland Collaborative on this ongoing effort to design spaces that heal, inspire, and rewild ecosystems. Architecture: Lake Flato Architects Landscape Architect: Ten Eyck Landscape Architects, Inc. Environmental Consultant: Blackland Collaborative LF team: Bob Harris, Matt Wallace, Michael Britt, Dan Mowery, PK Shah

Trailborn Grand Canyon has been named one of America’s Best Hotels in Outside Magazine’s 2026 Travel Awards. Located near the Grand Canyon’s South Rim in Williams, Arizona, this roadside Route 66 hotel redefines the classic American motel through a thoughtful adaptive reuse transformation that preserves the spirit of the original property while giving it new life for today’s traveler. Blending thoughtful architecture and interiors that reflect the culture and spirit of the Southwest, the design draws inspiration from Arizona’s sedimentary layers, weaving together warm, natural materials and restored historic elements to create spaces that feel both timeless and deeply rooted in place. Designed as a base camp for adventure, the hotel invites connection and exploration through dynamic social spaces like Camp Hall and outdoor amenities perfect for stargazing and relaxation. As part of Trailborn’s “Keep Extraordinary” initiative, a portion of every direct booking supports the Grand Canyon Conservancy, helping to preserve and protect Grand Canyon National Park through conservation, education, and wildlife programs. We are honored to see this project as a Best Hotel winner, and grateful to our collaborators who helped bring the vision to life. Photography: Casey Dunn Architecture Design & Interiors: Lake Flato Architects Architect of Record: Synectic Design Landscape Design: Ten Eyck Landscape Architects, Inc. Landscape Architect of Record: Anderson Design Group Owner: Trailborn Hotels & Resorts LF Team: Bob Harris, Michael Britt, Margaux Palmer, Lila Davis, Carley Rynar