A Building for the Houston Mennonite Church

We here at Urban Architecture have been tasked by the Mennonite Church of Houston to create a building that communicates the core Mennonite values. They are as follows:

1. Jesus is our core value for life and worship. 

2. Sharing life in community (Size: 160-180)

3. The gospel is Good News about God and God's actions of peace

4. Being "In but not of the world"

       a. Engaged in the world, welcoming to all

       b. Alternative, counter-cultural

5. Stewardship, simplicity and "green" design

6. Space for growth

It’s an exciting opportunity and challenge for us. Our initial sketches came to this:

Rev. Marty Troyer had these thoughts:

"This concept embraces the gospel goodness of Jesus' presence in our lives through the primary symbolism of the skylight, which shines brightly into every area of our building. Indeed, it cuts its way into our sanctuary at an angle that reminds us of God's surprising and life-giving way. God - and therefore also the church - is not in perfect symmetry with the world. This building is welcoming, rather than imposing, on our property and is being designed with multiple community-building spaces; with particular emphasis on the narthex. And so much more!

 We recognize this is not the final product. Indeed, there is MUCH to discuss and discern and dream about together. But this is an expression of these beliefs that uses physical building materials - rather than words - to shape our faith. "

We are excited to continue developing this project and hope it engages and excites you as well.

Reverend Troyer can be found on Chron.com blogging as The Peace Pastor or on Twitter @ThePeacePastor.

Bethel Baptist Church

Bethel Baptist Church

Historic Preservation

Urban Architecture was hired to collect and compose historical information on historic Bethel Baptist Church as part of a permanent installation in what will be a new City of Houston park. Urban teamed up with local historian and genealogist Debra Blacklock-Sloan to compose a historical narrative describing the church's religious and civic development as representative of their historic churches in the African American community as part of Houston's overall cultural development. Minor Design is translating this information and historical images onto a graphic canvas that will serve as a compliment to the landscape design by White Oak Studio and the overall park experience. 

Bethel Baptist Church is located in Houston's historic Freedmen's Town Fourth Ward just west of the downtown area. It was founded by Rev. John Henry (Jack) Yates. Collaborative efforts with the Community Archaeology Research Institute uncovered evidence of four church buildings that were constructed on the site since 1891. Recognized African American Architect John Logan Blount designed the last building, which was completed in two phases (1923 & 1950). The church was damaged in a fire in January 2005. More than 75% of the walls have been saved in the new park design. The walls will serve as a frame for the new City Park, which is expected to be completed by summer's end.

2011 Golden Trowel Awards

Urban Architecture is a 2011 Honor Award Recipient of the Golden Trowel Award for demonstrating excellence for contributions in architecture on a masonry project for the design of the Harris County Precinct 4 - Central Facility.

Team Member Award Recipients: T. E. Reilly, Inc., Masonry Contractor & Pepper-Lawson, General Contractor.

The Associated Masonry contractors of Houston, in association with the Texas Masonry Council, recognize and encourage excellence in all phases of masonry construction. The Golden Trowel Award is awarded annually to an Architect, a General Contractor or Owner, and a Masonry Contractor demonstrating excellence in their respective contributions to a masonry project deemed worthy by a distinguished panel of judges.

Build NOW, Not Later!

In June 2008, Houston Business Journal stated “Construction industry costs up 6.6% in second quarter”. In March 2009, “Index: Construction costs continue to drop”; May 2011, HBJ states that the “Houston commercial construction costs hold steady” based on report by Kirksey. Construction costs are still at the bottom – planning should start now!

Construction estimates are no longer guaranteed for long periods. Construction costs are expected to rise later in the year as building projects increase. More important – start your planning and construction documents now to be ahead of the construction cost increase to come.

Posted by: Victor L. Joe, AIA

Buffalo Bayou Partnership Efforts

Many of you may have noticed some new improvements around Buffalo Bayou while driving along Montrose Boulevard or zooming down Allen Parkway. These improvements, a new pedestrian bridge traversing the bayou and 7 sculptures by artist Jaume Plensa, are part of a much larger Master Plan steered by the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Through the Partnership “a major enhancement project is in its preliminary phase with a goal to improve aesthetic and recreational opportunities along the Shepherd to Sabine segment of Buffalo Bayou while simultaneously regaining the waterway’s flood conveyance capacity and environmental qualities.”

To read about the Master Plan, view PowerPoint presentations of the different phases and locations, as well as to donate or volunteer visit the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Here you will also find information about ecological goals, kayaking adventures and the many events and recreational opportunities found along the bayou. Buffalo Bayou is Houston's greatest natural resource, take advantage of it!

Posted by: Megan Dickey, LEED AP

...and we keep on learning.

We have had a string of product reps calling lately offering "lunch and learns" for us to satisfy the requirement of the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). All registered architects are required to complete a total of 18 hours of instruction on a variety of topics in every renewal period. Eight (8) Continuing Education Units (CEU's) for the TBAE and an additional ten (10) hours for membership in the AIA.

All 8 CEU's required by the TBAE must include the study of subjects related to your profession and be pertinent to the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

§ At least one of the eight hours must be related to sustainable or energy-efficient design

§ At least one of the eight hours must be related to barrier-free design.

§ At least five of the eight hours must be structured activities, (classroom/classroom equivalent)

§ A maximum of three hours may be self-directed.

Historic House Museums: Today’s Challenge Tomorrow’s Foundation

Charged with preserving a window into the past, the Historic House Museum has much to offer through education, community involvement, and commercially. Using material culture to convey an accurate historic sense of place to the public is a powerful and invoking educational experience that would otherwise be limited in other museum settings. Communicating relevance is today’s challenge and maintaining that understanding is tomorrow’s foundation for the Historic House Museum.

Although affected by challenges common to the larger museum community, the debilitating impact of limited operating funds, adjusting to industry guidelines, and maintaining an all volunteer staff is greater and somewhat unique to the Historic House Museum. However, factors that are easier to control through organizational discipline are evaluating preservation redundancy, providing accurate historic interpretations, collection stewardship, operations management, accountability measures, and effective internal communication. Controlling these factors is likely to improve efficiency and allow an organization to redirect valuable resources to addressing the variables that can render a debilitating impact.

Whether a historic house museum is organized around the life of the occupant or time period elements, the method of communicating relevance over time must be clear and responsive to the fluctuating ways the public receives and processes information.