randall-porterfieldarchitec-blog
Bay Area Archithoughts
your weekly dose of local architecture musings
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Scarborough High School Community Meeting
"Scarborough Principal Diego Linares said the bond work at Scarborough will help attract students and boost achievement, noting that having improved spaces will positively impact student performance.“This project is beautiful,” Linares said. “It’s going to enhance the school. Not only will it look better, it will be more functional.””
We are so excited that we had the opportunity to meet the community surrounding Scarborough High School this past week to share the progress we have been making on this project, which includes renovations to the existing buildings as well as a new JROTC Building on the high school campus.
Read more updates on the Scarborough High School Renovations Meeting with parents, staff, neighbors, and other stakeholders on the Houston Independent School District’s news blog HERE!
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RDA Lecture: Chris Reed
On Wednesday, January 27, the Rice School of Architecture/Rice Design Alliance Spring 2016 Lecture Series kicked off with an exciting lecture by Chris Reed.
The Founding Principal of landscape urban design firm STOSS and an Associate Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Chris Reed presented some of his firm’s work which ranged from small scale installations and parks to projects spanning multiple Texas-sized city blocks. Personally, it was refreshing to see the method of using landscape as a catalyst to create synergies between infrastructure and the existing environment and in turn creating opportunities for the betterment of the community surrounding the projects.
Image courtesy of STOSS
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Upcoming Lectures for the RSA/RDA Spring 2016 Lecture Series titled “Projective Infrastructures” also include:
Christophe Girot
Director, Atelier Girot
Professor and Chair of Landscape Architecture, ETH Zurich
Wednesday, February 10, 7:00pm @ MFA
Diana Balmori, FASLA
Founding Principal, Balmori Associates
Wednesday, February 17, 7:00pm @ MFA
Upcoming Lectures for Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design at the University of Houston:
Toshiko Mori
Tuesday, February 9 at 6 pm @ Theater, Room 150
Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture & Design
4200 Elgin Street
Parking: There will be an attendant allowing guests to use Gated Lot 18B
Thom Mayne
Tuesday, February 23 at 6 pm
University of Houston Cullen Performance Hall
4300 University Drive
Parking: Paid parking is available at the UH Welcome Center and at the Hotel Garage
Architecture + Art: Remembering Thomas Colbert and Bill Stern
Lecture by David Breslin from the Menil Drawing Institute
Tuesday, March 29 at 7 pm @ Theater, Room 150
Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture & Design
4200 Elgin Street
Lecture followed by a Exhibition + Book Launching + Reception in the Atrium
Parking: There will be an attendant allowing guests to use Gated Lot 18B
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Congratulations to Alejandro Aravena, 2016 Pritzker Prize Winner – the highest award given to an architect. Aravena (and his firm Elemental) has consistently devoted and contributed work to improve the quality of life and the “standard of living” around the world.
Get inspired here or watch video posted ^.
You can read more about it on the NY Times or Arch Daily as well.
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Season’s Greetings!
Thanks so much for another wonderful year! Wishing you all joy, peace, and prosperity this holiday season -- from our family to yours! Sincerely, Randall-Porterfield Architects, Inc.
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The West I-10 Fire Station No. 5 Maintenance Building is going up in Katy, Texas!! Check out how big the slabs are (compared to the construction workers) -- that’s a legit crane for lifting all of them into place too!
Thanks Collier Construction for the video!
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Xavier on TSA Blog
Featured on October 8′s installment of the Architects Talking to Architects series, an interview with Xavier Vargas, AIA, is the latest post on the Texas Society of Architects’s Blog!
“What type of advice would you offer to young professionals?
I would offer up the same advice that was given to me by my mentors — get licensed and get connected. When tackling the AREs and IDP, your local AIA chapter is a great place to look for support. At my local chapter in Houston, the Intern/Associate Network holds numerous workshops throughout the year addressing general and specific topics regarding licensure. Those workshops have really helped me better understand the process and exams.
Additionally, get connected to your community. I joined a local Rotary Club. Space Center Rotary Club has given me the opportunity to serve my community alongside professionals from other disciplines. I am learning what it takes to be a leader and give back to the community.”
For the full interview, click HERE.
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Groundbreaking at Westlake!
On Friday morning, Jim and Rose joined Westlake Preparatory Lutheran Academy’s faculty, students, parents and friends in the exciting groundbreaking of the new Middle School addition to the WPLA campus. Stick around to see updates on the development of Westlake’s beautiful new building!
For more information on Westlake Preparatory Lutheran Academy, click here: http://www.westlakeprep.org/
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RPA Profiles: Nicole Lide
A note from one of our amazing summer interns, Nicole Lide:
I am currently an architecture student at Texas Tech University and third year student in the College of Architecture. I am currently working towards the completion of my Bachelors of Science in Architecture, I plan to graduate in December 2016 and continue my architectural education by pursuing a Masters of Architecture. I grew up in the League City and Clear Lake area, and graduated from Clear Creek High School. Having the opportunity to work for Randall-Porterfield, a local firm that I grew up around, was great experience.
My summer internship with RPA turned out to be an unexpected surprise. Expecting traditional intern roles and office work, instead I got to see and participate in vital architectural and firm design and business activities. I was excited to be given larger roles of responsibility and design decisions within the firm. During my summer spent with RPA I worked in Site Analysis, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Office Management. The projects I participated on included— a Seabrook Community Center proposal, the Scarborough High School renovation in Houston TX, a Pearland office building, L. F. Smith Elementary School in Pasadena TX, and a Nassau Bay Fire Station proposal.
This internship was a fantastic learning experience. I learned about firm administration and project management through meeting with clients, presenting designs, expanding my software and rendering knowledge, and learning more about the design process. The range and variety of projects I worked on—Education, Municipal, and Commercial design, provided me with insight to the unique programs and design requirements experienced by each project.
Thank you for this great experience, I look forward to working with Randall-Porterfield in the future!
--Nicole
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RPA Profiles: Travis Mohle
A note from one of our amazing summer interns, Travis Mohle:
I'm currently a fourth year student at the University of Houston, working on my B.Arch and minors in Computer Graphics and Advertising & Public Relations. Having grown up in the area, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with this great local firm this summer.
Coming in, I was fully anticipating a summer full of traditional intern duties - copies, scans, and organization. I was thrilled to instead be treated as full member of the design team. I worked predominately in Schematic Design and Design Development, putting together proposals for potential new projects and design submissions, but also created some construction documents. I learned a great deal, particularly regarding Revit, rendering, and the design process.
Throughout the summer, I had a hand in a proposed Seabrook Community Center, a trellis and landscape project in downtown Galveston, the Scarborough High School renovation, a Pearland office building, the Palacios Waterfront Education Pavilion, the L. F. Smith Elementary School, and a proposed Nassau Bay Fire Station. The great variety in type and scope of these projects provided me invaluable experience in the unique needs and processes of Educational, Municipal, and Commercial design.
I'm thankful for this great internship, and look forward to working with RPA in the future!
--Travis
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Look’n good Sea Scout Base, South Shaver Elementary, & Armand Bayou Nature Center!
Randall-Porterfield’s projects (Sea Scout Base, South Shaver Elementary, and Armand Bayou Nature Center) are sitting pretty on the American School & University Educational’s August 2015 Interior Showcase Issue!! See for yourself HERE:
Sea Scout Base, pg 63
South Shaver Elementary School, pg 64-65
Armand Bayou Nature Center, pg 69
Congrats to Randall-Porterfield Architects and team on making America School & University’s selection!!
#AmericanSchool&University#SeaScoutBaseGalveston#SouthShaverElementary#ArmandBayouNatureCenter#RandallPorterfieldArchitects
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Sea Scout Base in July/August ‘15 Texas Architect Magazine
Thanks to Erika Huddleston for a great article in this month’s Texas Architect Magazine! Titled “Lessons by the Sea”, Project Architect and Principal at RPA Bob Randall is quoted saying, “This building and campus are teaching tools; they teach kids how to play and how to take care of their playground.”
Check out the full article on page 79 HERE !!
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RPA Profiles: Rose Lee
RPA Profiles: Rose Lee
Say hello to Rose! A top graduate from the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, Rose brings her enthusiasm to learn as well as her valuable graphic design skills to the RPA table. In addition to her current projects, Rose also helps out with PR initiatives at the RPA office while studying for her Architecture Registration Exams as well. Holla!
Q&A Corner:
Hometown: Houston, TX
Achilles Heel: Good food!
Happy Place: New York City
Prized Possession: My Buddhist practice!
Bucket List Item: Travel to at least one city on every continent
Years at RPA: 1.5 years
Favorite Quote: “Life is best lived by being bold and daring. People tend to grow fearful when they taste failure, face a daunting challenge or fall ill. Yet that is precisely the time to become even bolder. Those who are victors at heart are the greatest of all champions.” -- Dr. Daisaku Ikeda
Current Projects: Westlake Preparatory Lutheran Academy, Katy Fire Station Complex #5, Beacon Island Patio Homes
Favorite Thing about Houston: The raw, diverse, and rich culture of my beloved city!
Baby Rose:
...don’t you just want to squeeze those cheeks?!
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At the groundbreaking for the new Pasadena Fire Station No. 5!!
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Flashback Friday: RPA’s First LEED Project
Flashback Friday to RPA’s first LEED project, the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, 6 years ago!
Check out their grand opening on the news here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rynEGYj47dg&feature=youtu.be
*Photo Cred: https://www.flickr.com/photos/commitforlife/sets/72157618545066500/
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Galveston Community Sailing Center: July 18 Public Celebration
Galveston Regional Chamber Cuts Ribbon at Galveston Community Sailing Center at Public Celebration on July 18
Learn About Community Sailing - Enjoy Food, Refreshments, Boat Tours, Activities, Fireworks and More!
GALVESTON, TX June 15, 2015 - The Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce will cut the official ribbon of the Galveston Community Sailing Center (GCSC) at a fun-filled, family day on Saturday, July 18 from 5 – 10 p.m. The Chamber will cut the ribbon at 5 p.m. and the public is invited to visit the center and learn more about the affordable sailing programs it has to offer. Participants can tours the boats and facilities, swim, enjoy hot dogs and refreshments and play games. The evening will conclude with firework viewing from the docks of the sailing center.
Galveston Community Sailing Center is a US Sailing-sanctioned Community Sailing center offering memberships for individuals and families. GCSC places special emphasis on teaching youth and disabled individuals the art of sailing. The adaptive sailing program provides instruction for sailors of all levels with a variety of disabilities, and is integrated with the Sea Scout Program for Disability Awareness training.
All instructors are US Sailing Certified licensed captains. Nautical skills are taught and practiced during weekly US Sailing classes, Open Sail Saturdays, and Schooner Sundays. GCYSC invites Galveston Island to enjoy a wonderful and affordable opportunity to share a love of the ocean across generations through true community sailing.
“There’s a place for everyone here from the novice with no experience to Bareboat Certifications,” remarked Capt. Mike Janota, Community Sailing Director. “GCSC is offering this Island something it has missed for a long time; true community sailing.”
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GCSC is located at 7509 Broadway, Galveston, Texas 77554 and can be reached by calling 409-572-2562 Ext. 1008 or emailing [email protected]. For more information, please visit www.ssbgalveston.org.
About the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce
The mission of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce is To Promote and Advocate for Business and Community Development. Founded in 1845 it is Texas’ first chamber of commerce. For more information about the Galveston Regional Chamber, visit them at the corner of 23rd and Mechanic in Historic Downtown Galveston. You can also check them out at www.GalvestonChamber.com, like them on Facebook - www.facebook.com/GalvestonChamber, follow them on twitter - www.twitter.com/GalvChamber, share with them on instagram – www.instagram.com/GalvestonChamber and watch them on YouTube – www.youtube.com/GalvestonChamber. Don’t forget to download MyChamberApp on your smart phone so you can access the Galveston Regional Chamber membership directory, upcoming event information and more anytime, anywhere.
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Check out HISD’s coverage of the Design Charrette for Scarborough High School! We were very excited to be a part of this exchange and look forward to continue working with the stakeholders and community in creating the best design for the family of Scarborough!
For more information on the Project teams for Kashmere, Scarborough and Westbury, click HERE.
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RPA in the BP MS150!!
We said we would… and we did.
This past weekend, Xavier Vargas, Rose Lee, Lauren Roberts, Austin Houser, Alfonso Fernandez, Julie Baker and I rode the MS 150 as part of Team Randall-Porterfield to raise funds for MS research and in memory of C.J. Libby. What an amazing experience it was. I am happy to report that we all finished the ride.
Day 1… Canceled?
Due to the crazy weather last week, the National MS Society made the difficult decision to cancel the Day 1 ride and asked that all riders get themselves to La Grange Sunday morning to begin the ride there. We were all able to find our ways to the starting point and off we went towards Austin!
How many miles to the next check-point?
When folks asked me before the ride if I was happy that Day 1 was canceled, I would snap back… “No way! I want to ride this whole thing! C.J. did it all every year!” Well, on the other side of the ride, when I am asked that same question, I answer with… “Yes indeed.” And… “Man, C.J. was a dang athlete!” It was tough! We lost one of our riders to leg cramps (glad you are good now Alfonso!) and if not for amazing grit and determination (not to mention a good knee wrap at the last check-point!) we would have lost the youngest Architect in Texas… Atta boy Xavier! Rose Lee was a road warrior all day. Every check-point Rose was like “suck it up ladies and get back in those pedals! We’ve got a ride to finish!” Yea, she was tough. Lauren was nothing but constant smiles, even though she’ll tell you she almost died. Austin was the model of quiet determination. I am so thankful for such a great group of co-workers (and friends!) to have done a first MS 150 (72!) with!
Why did we ride?
I think C.J. would be proud of us RPA riders. We didn’t finish the fastest, but we finished. We didn’t do the full 150 miles, but we did all they would allow. The pain was intense at times for all of us, but with determination, we pressed on. We pushed up hill, after hill, after hill, after dang hill! We strengthened existing friendships and established new ones. We encouraged one another. We helped one another. We finished.
What kept you going?
The biggest disappointment of the cancellation of Day 1 was the cancellation of the end-of-day activities that would have taken place Saturday evening, namely the Team Jersey Contest. I entered us into the competition because Rose just smashed our jersey design right out of the park. I mean, it looked awesome (look at the pictures people!). I am not blowing smoke when I say that no fewer than 100 riders along the way told us that our jerseys were, without a doubt, the best they have seen. People wanted to buy them off of us! They asked if we had extras! It was just too cool! It started at the beginning and lasted all day. When the miles were adding up and the fatigue was setting in, someone would always say “Love the jersey!!!”
How old was C.J. when he did this?
On the bus back to La Grange from Austin (while Rose was sacked out!) I looked at Xavier and said… “Dude, C.J. did this every year… up until he was like 80!” Xavier paused and said… “He was an amazing man.” Yes… yes he was.
April 16 – 17, 2016 anyone??? :)
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