Selected Projects

In 2017, the Austin Film Society opened AFS Cinema, a 2-screen art house cinema located in north central Austin. Espero supported AFS from project planning through its completion, developing budgets, securing architects and contractors, coordinating with audio-visual and technical experts, as well as engaging artisans for custom furnishings and art pieces.

From 2011 until its opening in 2020, Espero worked with the Austin Film Society to retrofit a former National Guard Armory into a Creative Media Hub. Funded in part by $5.4 million in City of Austin Bond funds, the LEED-Silver project added 75,000sf of space for film and creative media production.

Funded by an NEA Our Town Grant, Espero facilitated a year-long creative placemaking project for the Austin Film Society to build momentum for upcoming capital improvement projects. Over 200 stakeholders participated in visioning, designing, and strategic planning sessions.

Espero performed a cultural heritage and environmental resources assessment as a part of the Texas A&M University - San Antonio Campus Planning project, which was completed in 2016. The 700-acre campus is located in southern San Antonio. 

For more than a decade, Espero worked with the Austin Film Society to plan and implement numerous capital improvement projects on their 20-acre Austin Studios campus. Projects included securing a 75-year lease with the City of Austin; securing and deploying City of Austin bond funds; recruiting and selecting Anchor Tenants for the Creative Media Hub; engaging stakeholders; consulting on operations and maintenance of Austin Studios in preparation for the expansion; and more.

With each project, Espero encourages clients to deeply explore urban histories, leverage participatory planning processes, and promote the protection of natural/environmental resources.