Fort Bend Community Church is working with Studio RED to complete Phase 3 of a multi-phase campus. Trung Doan created a Master Plan for the 29-acre campus to designate locations of upcoming and future additions to the site.

“For Phase 3 construction, we are completing the programming for a 50,000 square foot education building that will provide Sunday school and worship spaces for children and additional classrooms for adults,” says Trung Doan of Studio RED.

Future phases of the master plan will incorporate an on-site café and bookstore, additional parking, a new Worship Center situated on the Great Lawn, Youth Building, and additional support facilities. All new spaces will be connected by paved and covered walking paths that will encircle the heart of the landscaped campus with designated outdoor areas. The east side of the campus could include two Senior Living Towers and/or a Family Retreat Area made up of 16 living units and outdoor gathering areas.

Photo credit: Hester Hardaway

The Greater Houston Preservation Alliance has awarded the 2012 Good Brick Award for Studio RED’s recycling and repositioning of a 1920’s rice warehouse as the City’s new Green Resource and Central Permitting Center. (Learn more about the renovation here)

“There is something special about receiving a good brick award because it recognizes projects that contribute to the fabric of Houston as an urban place,” says Bill Neuhaus of Studio RED Architects. “To receive one this year is special as there were outstanding candidates like the Julia Ideson Library and the Harris County Court house. The mayor was recognized for her contribution to preservation: and the Permit Building is a great example of that commitment.”

The Good Brick Awards have been given since 1979 to recognize local contributions to the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of Houston’s architectural and cultural heritage. Nomination categories include the renovation, restoration, or adaptive use of a building; new buildings or sympathetic additions that enhance the existing historic fabric of Houston; recognition for the craftspeople who continually maintain, build, and restore our important buildings and cultural fabric; preservation-related programs or activities; project planning; publications; and outstanding service or leadership in preservation.

This is not the first Good Brick Award Studio RED has received for its sustainable architecture. Last year Studio RED Architects’ Brennan’s of Houston- restored after hurricane damage and a fire- received the award.

In addition, Bill Neuhaus served as architect for three other projects that received Good Brick Awards:

• Elder Street Artist Lofts- conversion/re-use of abandoned 1930’s hospital
• Rice University Presidents House- restoration and renovation
• John P McGovern Camus, Texas Medical Center – conversion of old Nabisco factory

Faithbridge United Methodist Church has grown past its capacity for its original sanctuary. Rather than expand the facility, Studio RED designed a second sanctuary near it on the existing campus. Using the Virtual Pastor technology, the live sermon can be broadcast in real time in the opposite sanctuary. In the new venue where the teaching is on video, the preacher will be seen from head to foot walking across the stage.

“The goal of the architectural design is to make the effect as realistic as possible,” says Jared Wood of Studio RED. “With careful attention given to sight lines and lighting, we allow people to forget that they are seeing a broadcast at all.”

The new sanctuary seats 1,100. When used in-conjunction with the original sanctuary,  the church is now able to double its regular worship service capacity.

“By doubling our capacity in two near-identical rooms, things will feel entirely consistent with the culture Faithbridge has come to represent, maintaining a real, intimate, and organic feel,” writes Faithbridge pastor Ken. “With twin venues, Center Court West and Center Court East, we will have a variety of options for utilizing both venues in different ways every Sunday and throughout any given week.” Read more from Pastor Ken here.

(Images Copyright 2012 MN Photography)

Design: Studio RED Architects for Faithbridge United Methodist Church

Scope: Master plan for the campus and design of a 1,100-seat second venue to support a ministry of “two-locations-one-message.”

Church’s Goal: To maximize flexible space while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

IAC Complex by Lake|Flato

The Independent Arts Collaborative has selected architectural firms Lake|Flato and Studio RED Architects to design the organization’s new art complex planned at Main and Holman in Midtown, Houston.  The multi-tenant performance and exhibition space will be designed with the input of nearly 40 Houston arts groups, and will be located steps from the Ensemble/HCC METRO stop.

“This team allows us to bring strong urban place making, theatrical expertise, and an industrial/regional design together to catalyze the creation of the Midtown Arts district,” says Bill Neuhaus of Studio RED Architects.

With an estimated cost of $25 million, the 67,000-square-foot complex is planned to feature a 300-seat theater, a large exhibition space, two rehearsal halls and three black box performance spaces, as well as classrooms and office space.

Studio RED has a strong commitment to the arts and to Midtown, the home of the firm’s office in Houston. Neuhaus led the 1992 Main Street Study that identified Midtown as “the most valuable piece of undeveloped urban real estate in Houston” and called for the rail line to be on Main Street.

“The IAC complex will be part of the first true transit-oriented development in Houston,” says Neuhaus.

Slated for completion in 2015, the effort to build the project started in 2004 by arts organizations such as Diverse Works, Main Street Theater and Suchu Dance that were tired of renting. Its founders envision it providing an affordable home for arts and cultural organizations.

IAC Complex by Lake|Flato

IAC Complex by Lake|Flato

IAC Complex by Lake|Flato

For more information about the IAC, visit http://www.iachouston.org/

Follow Lake|Flato and Studio RED Architects on Facebook for updates.

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Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart’s first phase of recent expansions was completed this past August in the form of an exterior building shell and core, designed by Studio RED Architects. The exterior design has become the new “front door” to the school, establishing a new architectural style for the campus to continue through future phases.

Studio RED’s design for the Houston Catholic girls’ school is a new science and academic building with middle school and upper school libraries. The 22,000 sf facility has been designed to accommodate an enrollment of 800 students. The design will meet the needs of the high school program with five new science laboratory classrooms and five academic classrooms. Along with the classrooms and two libraries, a full-service kitchen is also part of the design, allowing the replacement of the existing inadequate facility. The remaining phases of renovation are set to begin in the summer of 2012, while school is not in session.

Before the re-opening, the Brown Administrative Complex had been shut down since Sept. 2008 when it was damaged by Hurricane Ike.  Studio RED was brought in to rehabilitate and revitalize the building.

(Renovated lobby by Studio RED Architects. Image: Michael Nguyen)

(Before renovation. Damage to the lobby by Hurricane Ike. Image: Michael Nguyen)

Studio RED Architects also worked with Lauren Griffith Associates on a new courtyard in the center of the Brown Building by adding a trellis and stage at one end.

(Courtyard after renovation by Studio RED and Lauren Griffith Associates. Image: Michael Nguyen)

(Courtyard prior to renovation. Image: Michael Nguyen)

(Courtyard after renovation by Studio RED and Lauren Griffith Associates. Image: Michael Nguyen)

(Courtyard prior to renovation. Image: Michael Nguyen)

The stage, seating, and audio/visual components were modified to enhance the worship experience of the church members. Over 600 seats in the main auditorium were repositioned to make room for new aisles and camera positions, and the stage was modified with flexible and movable platforms and a new infrastructure for theatrical lighting and sound.

(Main auditorium before renovation by Studio RED Architects)

(Completed renovation by Studio RED Architects. Image: Michael Nguyen)

The flexibility of the moving stage platforms and its elevated bank of choir risers allows for choirs of different sizes and arrangements. “This flexibility also allows for stage changes, from a traditional setting to a contemporary setting with a small ensemble of musicians or a complete 40-musician orchestra,” says Garrett.

For better intimacy with the Pastor’s spoken word, Studio RED developed a ‘theater stage” that projected into the first rows of seating and also at a lower height than the main seating. This helps facilitate better eye contact between the pastor and attendees. The addition of lighting in the seating area ceiling has also allowed for better illumination of the stage and brings warmth and intimacy into the room.

(Completed renovation by Studio RED Architects. Image: Michael Nguyen) Moving lighting overhead and from the seating area allows the ability to create several different atmospheres or moods through theatrical lights and LED to help reinforce the message from the stage. Reshaping of the side choir walls with additional lighting and video has also helped better connect the choir with the congregation.

(Completed renovation by Studio RED Architects. Image: Michael Nguyen)

"It was only a 18 months ago that Studio RED and Champion Forest Baptist Church opened its expanded educational facilities to meet the needs of the church's growth," says Garrett. "Now with the completion of the worship center, the pastoral staff at Champion Forest has an updated facility that will enhance the worship experience and help its members develop a deeper understanding of God’s love."

The church revealed the completed renovation at a grand re-opening worship service Aug. 28, but still held services during construction.

Photo credits: Hester Hardaway

What function did the client need this building to serve?

The City determined the building which housed the majority of Building Code Enforcement activities was too small, not energy efficient, with minimal amenities for customers and employees. Other permitting activities were housed in multiple locations so customers seeking permits often had to drive from location to location.

The new Washington Ave. permitting center houses the majority of the City of Houston’s permitting activities in one location. The city’s goal was to create a user-friendly central permitting building, using retail principals to greet applicants and provide a welcoming environment. All departments were to be housed in one building and for the first time, 90 percent of the permits necessary to do business in the city would be available under one roof. To speed the process, accounting was centralized, modeled after retail sales and inventory systems. The building would also house the Green Building Resource Center, an educational “shop-and-learn” environment.

(Before/After) Photo credits: Hester Hardaway

Why did the City of Houston choose to renovate/rehabilitate an old building over new construction?

Andrew Icken, from the City of Houston, came to us with the question of whether it would be more financially efficient for the city to purchase and reuse an old building he had seen, or engage in a new construction project on their previous lot. Our analysis and comparison of the old warehouse and of new construction on their existing site indicated that a rehabilitation would come out to about 75 percent of the cost of starting from scratch.

A five-story 1920’s rice warehouse was acquired to house the disparate departments and the city’s Green Resource Center. The design team’s analysis showed the 180,000 sf building could house most permitting activities, and that its adaptive reuse would anchor the East end of the redeveloping Washington Corridor. One favorable factor for the reuse project was also the ability to use existing shaded parking lot under the HOV lane one block from the site. This lot provided sufficient parking for employees, eliminating the need to construct another parking garage in Houston.

The reuse of the building provided the opportunity to expose construction techniques, organize efficiently on a 37,000 square foot floor plate and embrace the city’s Civic Art Program, providing art for citizens in a way not seen since the WPA.  All of this was accomplished in a building tracking LEED Gold. (The city requires all buildings be LEED Certified, anything with a ten year or less payback is reviewed.) The result is a building with exposed brick walls, hot riveted steel, a vegetated roof irrigated with condensate, frictionless air handlers and raised floor.

(Before/After) Photo credits: Hester Hardaway

How did you test your design and materials for a reliable ‘measurement’ of sustainability?

Our design team analyzed the existing structure of the warehouse to determine the most efficient strategy for conversion. The analysis recognized the beauty of the building’s existing materials and existing conditions, which were utilized if supported by energy modeling studies.

Through this analysis the team was able to justify High Efficiency “Frictionless” HVAC units and under floor air. This allowed the team to locate all major wiring and cabling under the floor, drilling down to install lights, tailored to daylight conditions, as well as cameras and fire detection equipment eliminating the clutter of exposed conduit and maintaining future flexibility. Energy modeling of the exterior masonry triple wythe walls defied logic, illustrating new thermally broken windows were more beneficial than wall insulation. To the delight of the design team, this allowed the exterior walls to be exposed and breathe as originally designed.

(Before/After) Photo credits: Hester Hardaway

What changes were made to the existing building in this renovation/reuse?

An interior freight elevator was removed, providing a light shaft and communicating stair to connect the previous departments. Though the shaft didn’t provide access to the roof before the renovation, these new stairs now lead up to the rooftop, where small groups can be taken to observe the building’s solar panel and future wind turbine additions.

The warehouse’s old loading docks were retrofitted for a clip-on lobby and “racetrack,” a 30- station desk facilitating transactions. The lobby brings light into the space and adds a modern, clean look to the building’s facade with its covered entries.

Photo credits: Hester Hardaway

Original internal stairs weren’t up to code, so they were eliminated in favor of external stairs that were also fitted with signage for the building. We pulled stairs outside the building, made them code compliant, made them signage, Houston Permitting Center.

The exterior elevator tower was also replaced, which ended up being more cost effective than rehabilitating it. This tower is visible from the freeway, and its stainless steel wrap served as the canvas for an iconic piece of public art created by the late artist and former architect, Dick Wray.

The building anchors the East end of the Washington Corridor redevelopment and is adjacent to the Houston Amtrak Station, the logical home for future heavy rail service in Houston. The aesthetics of the clip on lobby, attached to the old loading docks, provide views into the existing warehouse structure and create a lobby reminiscent of the adjacent train station.  This lobby celebrates the retail intent of the building with the Green Resource Center’s display area open to all, attracting those waiting to visit permitting to a sustainable educational display.

(Before/After) Photo credits: Hester Hardaway

Why are we able to see so much art from the community in this building?

Houston has a mandatory 1.75% of total costs set aside for civic art. The Houston Arts Alliance conducted interviews and selected a local artist, Mary Margaret Hansen, to manage the program; a team member who shared the vision of a highly functional, cost effective facility that would be radically different from the usual municipal building. Joining the collaborative design team early on allowed the team to identify opportunities for “artful interventions.”

[Read Hansen's blog here]

Local artists were asked to participate in the project by creating new pieces to install throughout the building. The pieces range from sculpted metalwork consisting of recycled materials to colorful murals. The artwork also symbolizes the city’s commitment to sustainability, the civic realm, and represents the community’s contribution to the completion of the project. Hansen created a blog to document the development of the civic art exhibits in the permitting center, for the public to follow here.

Photo credits: Hester Hardaway

Are the building’s patrons happy with the result?

The building met and exceeded all expectations, largely because this process has been so collaborative. Permitting functions for different departments are now co-located ,allowing for shared common functions such as cashiering, printing, reception, customer service representatives, etc. It is a truly civic building filled with local art of all types and sustainable features like the vegetative roof that are sure to spark more green movements in Houston. More importantly, though, it is an efficiently designed workspace and a comfortable facility for the customers.

Photo credits: Hester Hardaway

The building exposes its bones to the delight of contractors and children. The open plan allows all access to light and view. There are employee showers for those who bike to work and a “white bike” program which loans bikes and helmets to employees for short trips during the work day. The building now houses over ninety percent of all permitting activities for the City of Houston in one single location and the city anticipates significant cost savings from these efficiencies also.

We are still making regular walk-throughs of the building, and are holding monthly meetings to discuss its actual use and public function. The feedback has been widely positive. Even the security guard who worked from the previous office appreciated that the “air was green” in this building; it was clean, and free from the traditional chemical smell associated with other newly renovated spaces.

The new permitting center is located near another renovation project from Studio RED Architects, the Elder Street Artists Lofts. Learn more about the lofts and other Studio RED renovations here.

Photo credit: Hester Hardaway

The City of Houston Permitting center was a successful collaborate effort from day one. Very early on, Studio RED had a client who was committed to working with us, and came to the table with a good idea of what they wanted. We met with the City of Houston weekly to discuss details from numbers to construction, sustainability models and civic art.

Andrew Icken, City of Houston Chief Development Officer, wrote a letter of support for Studio RED as a submission for  an Engineering News Record award . In it, he acknowledges the facets of the project that our design team felt had worked so well. Read Icken’s commentary on the teamwork utilized to complete the new permitting center here or read below.