Alamito STREAM Center Earns AIA El Paso Merit Award for WDA
Wright & Dalbin Architects (WDA) was recognized with a Merit Award at the 2026 AIA El Paso Chapter Design Awards Gala for the Alamito Management & Community Center Revitalization project. Located in Segundo Barrio, the project reflects a thoughtful balance between historic preservation and contemporary community-focused design.
Originally constructed between 1938 and 1940 with support from the U.S. Housing Authority, the Alamito site holds deep cultural significance as El Paso’s first housing complex designed to provide affordable housing for Mexican families. Following the HOPE VI HUD initiative in 2007, most of the original structures were demolished, leaving only a duplex and the Administration Building. WDA’s award-winning design adaptively reuses these remaining components, transforming the site into a STREAM-focused (Science, Technology, Reading/Reasoning, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning hub.
The revitalized center incorporates new program elements including a greenhouse, laboratories, and flexible learning environments that support both educational and community uses. Set within a 27,000-square-foot site, the project integrates indoor and outdoor spaces—such as courtyards and gathering areas—while maintaining continuity with the neighborhood’s historic fabric.
Preservation efforts followed the Department of the Interior’s Standards, with careful reconstruction of the original duplex using a combination of salvaged and new materials to maintain architectural integrity. The project also emphasizes sustainability through water harvesting strategies and plans for a future solar photovoltaic system.
The design team was led by Project Architect Fred Dalbin, with Alexis Calderon serving as Project Manager. Together, they guided the project through a process focused on preserving the site’s historic character while introducing new educational and community facilities.
The Alamito STREAM Center illustrates an approach to adaptive reuse that supports both preservation and contemporary use. The project provides access to STREAM-based learning spaces while maintaining the cultural and architectural identity of Segundo Barrio.
