Episcopal High School, a private school in Bellaire, Texas, hired Studio RED Architects for the second phase of their long-range campus master plan. The project goal was to recreate the existing Underwood Student Center, and the result is a world class facility supporting growth of over 800 students. The project provides additional space for students to gather for study, fellowship, meals, meetings, and extracurricular activities.

To achieve the vision, the existing Underwood Student Center and Alkek Gym, the oldest facilities on campus dating back to the 1950s, were demolished. The existing servery and kitchen was renovated to accommodate the new facility program. A new dining space accommodates 500 students and staff and is comprised of traditional and casual seating options to reflect a modern student culture equivalent to higher education atmospheres. Because the Student Center is more than a dining facility, spaces accommodate art exhibits, theater, STEM learning maker spaces, study areas, and faculty offices. A coffee shop is also included as an amenity to students and faculty. A large public plaza links the Student Center with the adjacent Trotter Academic Building and Hildebrand Athletic Center. The design and positioning of the project knits together older and newer areas of the campus, establishing a hub for student life, circulation, and activity.

Studio RED was selected to design the 50,400-sf facility including both renovation and new construction. The project provides space for all areas of the arts program including 2D and 3D studio arts, photography, film, broadcast journalism, theater, dance and music. The building will include a new 350-seat proscenium theater, 150 seat black box theater, music ensemble rehearsal room, studio spaces and faculty offices.