![]() “His buildings express architecture with a capital A.” “He was one of the first developers to demonstrate that the building could be more valuable because of the architecture,” says Kevin Batchelor, senior managing director for Hines’s southwest region and an architect himself. He went on to myriad high-profile collaborations, introducing Houston to nationally known architects such as I.M. that was his first contribution to the downtown skyline. Hines’s legend took root in the ’60s with the completion of One Shell Plaza, the 50-story headquarters for Shell Oil Co. It gets wet, and it dries, and we are good to go.” “If you build in a concrete block structure, no harm, no foul. ![]() Not only should residents move valuables and main living areas to upper levels when possible, but designers should select smart materials that allow for the inevitable presence of water in our community. “We may need to take a different attitude about the lower level of a building,” Merwin explains. For example, some architects and builders now plan to install sheetrock walls-which can act like giant sponges, absorbing water and moisture-in horizontal strips instead of vertical ones, so that smaller pieces can be removed, saving time and money. “We can build things in an impermanent way,” Merwin says. We don’t want to have a repeat of what’s happened.” Build to rebuild. “I haven’t heard people completely freaking out about it yet, but it’s going to have costs and logistical issues in all properties.” Still: “It’s put in place for all the right reasons. These are the major ways they’re rethinking design in a post-Harvey era, per Peter Merwin, principal at Gensler:Īs of September 1, city regulations now call for all new construction to be built above the 500-year flood plain, plus an additional two feet. Houston architects and planners are now conceptualizing ways to build not just around water, but above it and through it. “You can’t just wipe everything clean.” F is for Flood-Proofing “You have to leave some of the existing buildings and flavor of the surrounding area,” Donaldson says. The hope is for EaDo to see mid-rise and high-rise towers come in, along with more retail, while remaining recognizable, with architects and developers continuing the trend Method started. Old industrial buildings now serve as funky bars and eclectic music venues bay doors, corrugated metal, concrete floors, and large steel windows remain, but with entirely new purposes. But over the past few years, thanks in large part to spaces he and his team at Method Architecture have created- 8th Wonder Brewery, Chapman & Kirby-the gritty neighborhood has transformed itself. ![]() “When we first moved in, it was a little unnerving,” he recalls. When Jake Donaldson moved his company’s headquarters to EaDo in 2016, he took precautions to keep his employees safe. Image: Visit Houston E is for EaDo's Revival
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