Founding year recorded by the AIA El Paso firm directory.
Independent editorial profile
Exigo Architecture
El Paso
Established 2006
Woman-owned practice
Civic & cultural
Adaptive reuse
Community facilities
An El Paso practice whose recent public work combines locally led civic design with architect-of-record delivery for complex cultural projects developed with national collaborators.
Best suited for: municipalities, cultural institutions, universities and community organizations planning civic, cultural, adaptive-reuse or public-facing projects where local engagement and coordination across multidisciplinary teams are central to delivery.
At a glance
The practice lists one current office in downtown El Paso.
Described as woman-owned in the AIA El Paso directory.
Architecture, interior design, master planning and community engagement.
Also active in adaptive reuse, workplace and mixed-use projects.
Firm verification and Texas registration review remain in progress.
Editorial overview
Community programs translated into public architecture
Exigo’s civic work is organized around public use, cultural identity and the practical extension of existing community assets. The Mexican American Cultural Center adapts part of El Paso’s Main Library while adding new performance and exhibition space; the Chamizal and Valle Bajo projects combine recreation, library and gathering programs.
Recent recognition and collaborative delivery
The Mexican American Cultural Center received a 2025 Texas Society of Architects Design Award. Texas Architect identifies Exigo as architect of record for La Nube and documents its role with Lake|Flato on the El Paso Water headquarters. TxA separately identifies Eugenio Mesta as a principal and lead designer.
Performance and capacity data remain incomplete
The practice describes sustainability credentials and project methods, but comparable post-occupancy data, current staffing totals, fees and available capacity are not publicly standardized. Team titles and selected project details are firm-reported, while the firm’s Texas registration review remains in progress.
Ranking placements — 2026
#9
#9
#6
Texas Architecture Index
Statewide placement supported by recent TxA recognition, an established El Paso civic portfolio and documented delivery roles on complex public projects.
Sustainability & Performance
Placement reflects adaptive reuse, climate-aware community facilities and firm-reported sustainability credentials; standardized performance data remain limited.
Placemaking & Adaptive Reuse
The Mexican American Cultural Center and neighborhood community centers provide the clearest evidence for reuse, public gathering and local civic identity.
Selected projects
Mexican American Cultural Center
Why it matters: the project converts part of El Paso’s Main Library and adds new exhibition, performance, education and outdoor spaces. Its statewide design award provides the strongest current independent evidence for Exigo’s design work.
View official project page →La Nube STEAM Discovery Center
Why it matters: Exigo served as architect of record for Snøhetta’s 77,000-square-foot children’s museum, coordinating a technically demanding public building from design development through construction.
View official project page →Chamizal Community Center and Library
Why it matters: instead of replacing the former factory-store structure, the project retained most of the building and expanded the public program within the original budget, combining recreation, library and event functions.
View official project page →Valle Bajo Community Center and Library
Why it matters: the project brings sports, fitness, library, meeting and outdoor-amphitheater uses into one neighborhood facility, illustrating the practice’s emphasis on flexible public programs and desert-climate daylighting.
View official project page →Project imagery will be added only after publication rights and photography credits are confirmed.
Evidence ledger
This ledger separates independent public records from claims reported by the practice. Evidence grades describe the independence of the source, not the architectural quality of the practice.
| Claim | Grade | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIA El Paso records the practice as established in 2006 and woman-owned | B | AIA El Paso firm directory | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| AIA El Paso lists Exigo’s El Paso address and architecture, planning, interior-design and preservation services | B | AIA El Paso firm directory | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| Current office address is 211 N Florence St, Suite 101, El Paso | C | Exigo Architecture about page | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| Paulina Lagos and Eugenio Mesta are principals; Elias Padilla is associate principal | C | Exigo Architecture team directory | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| Services include architecture, interior design, master planning, community engagement and sustainability consulting | C | Exigo Architecture services | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| Mexican American Cultural Center received a 2025 Texas Society of Architects Design Award | B | Texas Society of Architects | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| A 2019 City of El Paso agreement names Exigo Architecture, LLC as consultant for the Mexican American Cultural Center | A | City of El Paso professional-services agreement | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| Mexican American Cultural Center completed in 2024 as a 40,000-square-foot library adaptation and expansion | C | Exigo Architecture project page | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| Exigo served as architect of record for La Nube, with Snøhetta as design architect | B | Texas Architect, 2025 | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| El Paso Water’s administration headquarters was designed by Lake|Flato Architects and Exigo Architecture | B | Texas Architect, 2023 | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| TxA identifies Eugenio “Pacelli” Mesta as Exigo principal and lead designer | B | Texas Society of Architects | Jul. 26, 2026 |
Read the full evidence-grade definitions
Grade A means a claim is supported by an independent national record or official registry. Grade B means it is supported by a professional jury, regional institution or independent professional publication. Grade C means it was reported by the practice and has not yet been independently verified. View the evidence standards.
Practice information
Leadership
The current practice directory identifies Paulina Lagos, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, and Eugenio Mesta, AIA, CNU-A, GGP, as principals. Elias Padilla, AIA, is listed as associate principal. TxA separately identifies Mesta as Exigo’s principal and lead designer.
Licensure and registration
Registration review in progress. Texas business-registration information is being checked against the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners registry. Registration confirms legal standing to practice and is not an editorial endorsement.
Services and specialties
Civic & Cultural ArchitectureEducation ArchitectureSustainable ArchitectureCommercial Architecture
Considering Exigo Architecture for a project?
Review the practice’s official civic and cultural portfolio or submit a project brief to compare firms with documented experience relevant to your program, site, procurement method and collaboration needs.
Introductions and referral inquiries do not affect rankings or editorial coverage.
Related research and directories
Profile changelog
- Profile structure, current leadership, selected projects, evidence ledger and client guidance revised. Edition evidence cutoff unchanged.
- Initial directory profile and 2026 ranking placements recorded.