The Alamo Selects Team For Design of Exhibition Hall & Collections Building To Display the Phil Collins Collection

The Alamo is excited to announce the selection of Gensler | GRG Architecture to provide design services for  state-of-the-art Alamo Exhibition Hall and Collections Building on the east end of the Alamo Complex, behind the gardens. This building will display the Phil Collins Texana Collection so Alamo visitors may view historic artifacts present during the 1836 siege and battle and learn more from their visit to the Shrine of Texas Liberty.

Gensler | GRG Architecture will work with the Alamo Trust and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) on the design of this new facility, which will house and preserve artifacts in the Alamo's possession as well as those graciously gifted by musician and Texas History scholar Phil Collins.  Representatives from the City of San Antonio joined the Alamo Trust and GLO in evaluating proposals from eight firms, and unanimously selected the joint team of Gensler | GRG Architecture. Broaddus and Associates will manage the project.

"This new building will use state-of-the-art technology for security, environmental controls and storage space, representing a major upgrade over what we have today. This is exciting not just because it will provide exhibition space to display artifacts in the Alamo collection, it will also answer a pressing need for  space for storing other items in our growing collection – not to mention additional space for staff," said Kristi Miller Nichols, Director of Archaeology, Collections, and Historical Research for the Alamo.

In addition to moving forward with the Exhibition Hall and Collections Building, the Alamo and the Alamo Management Committee continue to make significant progress on the preservation and improvement of the site. Preservation and repair work continue at the Church and Long Barrack. The 1836 Battle Cannon Replica Project saw its first of many cannon replicas installed in Alamo Plaza in September and work on the Losoya House-18 pound cannon temporary exhibit is making progress. When decisions are made involving construction of a world- class Visitor Center and Museum, the Phil Collins Texana Collection will be permanently displayed in that facility.

The team at Gensler | GRG Architecture brings expertise in collections storage and curatorial spaces to this project. Their collective resume includes the collections storage and administrative offices for the Broad Museum, the New York Public Library Milstein Research Stacks and Special Collections, and the American Kennel Club's Museum of the Dog. Some of their work in San Antonio include the adaptive re-use of the Grant & Kress buildings, the adaptive re-use and repositioning of the Light and Print Building, and the Mission San Jose Pavilion.

Design of the new facility will begin immediately with a phased construction start to begin early next year. The Alamo Exhibition Hall and Collections Building will continue to serve as additional gallery space to display artifacts after the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum is completed.

About Alamo Trust, Inc. | Located in the heart of San Antonio, the Alamo serves as a sacred memorial to all those who lived, fought and died there. Visitors pay homage to the heroes of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, a defining moment in Texas History. Alamo Trust, Inc., or the Alamo, tells that story of Texas independence, as part of its 300-year history to over 1.6 million visitors every year. To visit the Alamo is to witness living history, experience authentic artifacts and admire an iconic landmark that shaped the country. Visit thealamo.org.