Building Dreams From the Ground Up
Photography by Suzanne Pack
In San Antonio’s vibrant design community, Lori Urbano has carved out a name for herself through a quiet but unmistakable blend of passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to design. As the founder of Urbano Design & Build, she has spent more than two decades transforming spaces across the city—shaping homes, restaurants, and businesses with an eye for detail and a deep understanding of how people truly live.
As a child growing up in Laredo, Lori couldn’t yet see the full picture of what it meant to bring a building to life. But riding along with her luxury custom home builder father, Ernesto, gave her a front-row seat to the creative and technical ballet of construction.
“I remember him looking at a piece of land, explaining what he planned to build,” Urbano recalls. “It was just dirt at the time, and I asked him, ‘How are you going to build all of that?’ It’s so deceiving—an empty lot, then suddenly, a 5,000-square-foot home. That always amazed me.”
She didn’t know it then, but those early experiences planted the seeds for a thriving career in design and construction. “Being exposed to all of that at a young age helped my mind start to create and understand things—without me even realizing it.”
That creative spark came to life years later when, at age 26, Urbano began taking on small remodeling jobs in Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills. She loved the challenge of transforming existing spaces—but more than that, she was driven by the desire to start from scratch, to create homes that were deeply personal for each client.
In 2002, she launched Urbano Design & Build, and over two decades later, her firm has completed more than 300 residential and commercial projects across San Antonio. Urbano’s talent lies not just in design, but in her ability to truly listen—to understand what clients need and build a space that reflects their lives.
“I never want people to walk into a house and say, ‘That’s an Urbano home,'” she says. “Our work isn’t cookie-cutter. Every space is unique because every client is.”
That client-centered philosophy is the heartbeat of Urbano’s work. She spends hours, even weeks, getting to know her clients—their habits, their preferences, and the way they live. “Whether it’s a home or a commercial space, you have to know the people. You end up forming real connections,” she says. “By the time we finish, the space should feel exactly like what they envisioned.”
That approach has led to not only long-lasting professional relationships but genuine friendships. Some of her most well-known commercial work, including the Southtown restaurant Battalion, came out of a collaboration with restaurateur Andrew Goodman. She also designed Rebelle and Haunt at the historic St. Anthony Hotel.
Most recently, Urbano has teamed up with Emily Strayer of The Chicks to transform a former doctor’s office into Soap Laundry Lounge, an innovative combination laundromat and social space expected to open later this year. “It’s such a fun, creative project,” Urbano teases, keeping what is certainly a distinct design under wraps.
As a woman leading a successful construction firm in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Urbano acknowledges the hurdles she’s faced along the way. “It was tough when I started. I had to build a thick skin,” she admits. “I have a strong personality, and that’s helped me protect myself. You have to be honest, be resilient—and just keep going.”
That persistence has served her well, especially in a business where problems are part of the process. “If something goes wrong, I don’t retreat. Maybe I step back for a moment—but then I run toward it,” she says. “There’s always a way to fix things. How to adapt to changes and how to keep going.”
Urbano’s own home is a testament to her eclectic style and love for design. A contemporary, mid-century modern retreat, it’s both a personal sanctuary and a working showroom. “I’m my worst client,” she laughs. “I drove my team crazy because I kept changing things. But that’s just how I work—ideas evolve.”
The home is also a haven for her three beloved dogs—Riley, a diva-like Maltese-Yorkie; Romeo, a cuddly Yorkie; and Princess Sophia, a protective Shar Pei. “They’re usually the ones enjoying the house and the pool,” she jokes.
Even when relaxing, design is never far from her mind. Her movie room doubles as a Netflix escape zone, often shared with her pups. Her chef’s kitchen, inspired by her work in restaurant design, has even been featured in cooking segments. “I love food, though I’m not a great cook,” she says with a grin. “But I need good food—it fuels creativity!”
Travel is another way she recharges. “Stepping away from the city helps me reset,” she says. “Yet wherever I go, I naturally find myself analyzing the architecture—it’s second nature to me.”
Through it all, She attributes her passion, persistence, and the lessons—both good and bad—that she’s learned along the way to shaping who she is today. “It’s those everyday experiences that define you,” she explains. “And they’re what keep me moving forward.”
From childhood curiosity to crafting dream homes, Lori Urbano’s journey proves that design isn’t just about what you build—it’s about the people you build it for.
