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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, ChairBig Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Interior Photography, Windows, FacadeBig Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Interior Photography, GlassBig Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Interior Photography, WindowsBig Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - More Images+ 27

  • Design Team: Agency—Agency, Elizabeth Stanfel, Nora Leon, Adelina Koleva, George Hewitt, Min Chen, Tei Carpenter
  • Clients: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston
  • Engineer: Bury Engineers
  • Development Services: Triten Real Estate
  • Real Estate Services: The Weitzman Group
  • Seller Representation: Cushman & Wakefield
  • Legal Services: Vinson & Elkins
  • Construction Budget: Rogers O’Brien Construction
  • City: Houston
  • Country: United States
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Exterior Photography
© Michael Vahrenwald

Text description provided by the architects. Founded on the belief that in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life, Big Brothers Big Sisters works to make a direct and lasting impact on the lives of children facing adversity by establishing one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors. Supporting this mission of inclusion and social justice, the new headquarters of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston imagines the building as a catalyst for community engagement with a design that is visually porous, vibrant in its use of color, and filled with natural light. The project uses architecture to produce a joyful and hopeful presence in the city that can act as a model for future chapters of Big Brothers Big Sisters throughout the country.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Interior Photography, Stairs, Glass
© Michael Vahrenwald

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston creates and sustains nearly 2,000 mentor matches, yet with hundreds of children on its waiting list, there was a growing need to expand its services and increase its visibility within Houston to attract new mentors. Located just north of downtown, the headquarters takes advantage of its site on an urban island between the elevated I-45 highway and the active Washington Avenue Corridor with a design that offers different experiences at different speeds, whether from a pedestrian walking down the sidewalk to a car speeding along the highway.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Interior Photography
© Michael Vahrenwald
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Image 23 of 32
Ground floor plan text
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Interior Photography
© Michael Vahrenwald

A dynamic seesaw roof and a lively variety of window openings provide different faces to the multiple sides of the city making the building more visible and reflecting the mission’s core values of openness and vitality.  The building’s unique volume responds to its irregular footprint to maximize spatial experience both on the interior and exterior. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, Chair
© Michael Vahrenwald

With a program combining private and open office space with interview and meeting rooms, a childrens’ playroom, café, and a multi-purpose event space connected to an open-air balcony with commanding views of downtown Houston and the Buffalo Bayou, the building uses standard building systems and cost effective materials to produce an inspiring work environment that is more than just an office.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Image 17 of 32
© Michael Vahrenwald
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Image 28 of 32
Butterfly Section
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Interior Photography
© Michael Vahrenwald

A three-story open atrium at the west entrance acts as a thickened public zone, within which a main staircase and balcony system connect the three floors physically and visually to enhance interaction, communication, and fluidity of movement.  At night the illuminated headquarters, alongside the downtown skyline, becomes a community beacon within the city of Houston.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency - Exterior Photography, Glass
© Michael Vahrenwald

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Project location

Address:1003 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77002, United States

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Cite: "Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Headquarters / Agency-Agency" 16 Jan 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed 20 Dec 2024. <https://www.archdaily.com/931963/big-brothers-big-sisters-of-greater-houston-headquarters-agency-agency> ISSN 0719-8884
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