While many envision Houston as a city defined by its sleek, modern skyscrapers, its architectural story is far richer and more diverse.
From the historic charm of the Heights Victorian-era homes to the gleaming glass facades of the downtown skyline like the neoclassical Harris County Courthouse and the Art Deco-inspired Gulf Building, Houston’s architecture tells a tale of transformation.
Today, Houston’s architectural landscape boasts new and innovative designs like the award-winning Menil Collection building and the eco-friendly Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, exemplifying the city’s commitment to both preserving its heritage and embracing the future.
“Houston has finally figured out how to turn our bayous, green spaces and in-between spaces into community amenities and focal points instead of afterthoughts,” said Jake Donaldson, co-founder of Method Architecture.
The Real Deal caught up with Donaldson and two other architects to find out what are some of the city’s standout buildings, both good and bad, that help shape the evolving architectural character of the Bayou City.
Jake Donaldson, Method Architecture Co-founder and Managing Principal
- Favorite Spaces: Urban Parks
- “Levy Park, Evelyn’s Park, Discovery Green, Memorial Park and Hermann Park just to name a few. These spaces celebrate nature, the outdoors, are free and are filled with a diverse mix of people. Many of them feature wonderfully designed, simple small-scale amenity buildings like The Grove and Lake House at Discovery Green as well as Betsy’s at Evelyn’s Park.”
- Least Favorite Building: George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas
- “Blocky cruise ship design aesthetics are definitely not my favorite. However, I think the facelift and the landscape and streetscape overhaul in 2016 was a major improvement. I think the sinking and capping of Highway 59 adjacent to the convention center is a great opportunity to rethink the rear façade of the building to better address the views and visibility to the growing and vibrant east side of Houston.”
Melvalean McLemore, Texas Studio Design Leader at Moody Nolan
- Favorite Building: Angel Share Charity Bar, 924 Congress Street
- “It is a beautiful and intimate space that perfectly matches its function. The first time my fiancé and I saw it, we were walking downtown and happened to peer through the window. We were immediately drawn to the incredible space beyond … by the end of the year we were married there.”
- Least Favorite Building: Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Houston Branch, 1801 Allen Parkway
- “One of my least favorite local buildings would have to be that. I appreciate the architect's willingness to experiment with brick. However, I believe that the exterior design does not reflect its function very well. As a building that includes public programming, I believe that it is important for the exterior design of a building to be visually appealing and reflect its function to an extent.”
Justin Taplet, Former Houston President of the National Organization for Minority Architects
- Favorite Building: Pennzoil Place, 711 Louisiana Street
- “I worked there for several years and loved getting to walk through the atrium space—it is amazing. The nontraditional towers are iconic Houston architecture.”
- Least Favorite Building: Memorial Hermann Tower, 929 Gessner Road
- “The design I see just makes me wonder how it even got to that point. I want to know the backstory of how it was designed,” he said. “Good design tells a story that leaves you wondering and inspired but that building just leaves me with a lot of ‘why’ questions. The crown element has such strong geometry which is void in the rest of the building. It reads as two ideas forced into a single building.”
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