CLIENT
University of Houston

BUILDING AREA
14,800 sf

AWARDS
2022 Award of Merit from ENR Texas & Louisiana

2021 ICE Award, Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston (ABC) Excellence in Construction Awards (EIC).

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The UH Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW) is an epicenter of conversations reimagining social, racial, economic, and political justice, both locally and globally. The college prepares leaders to address these complex challenges through education, innovative research, and meaningful community engagement.

While GCSW is recognized nationally it remains hidden on the campus in a nondescript, 1978 administration building without energy conservation upgrades. GCSW lacked identity, common spaces for collaboration, student support spaces and technology. The building also required plumbing and fire protection upgrades. 

The design addresses these issues with a new entry pavilion centered on UH’s DaVinci Forest, one of the campus green spaces. The pavilion embodies the spirit of Social Justice for All. Inspired by the forest, its design incorporates a captivating tree-like structure which forms a welcoming space, centered around a communal table, where individuals from all walks of life are encouraged to “take their place” and actively contribute to the promotion of social justice. The pavilion’s transparent façade provides clear visibility to the back wall which will support a digital billboard used to promote upcoming events and social justice messages.

Following through with the theme of social justice for all, a new gender-neutral restroom was designed to welcome all persons including gender non-conforming persons, the first on the UH campus. Interior graphics and art murals reinforce the message.

The pavilion functions as the building’s only vestibule thus reducing air leakage. The gender-neutral restroom resulted in less plumbing fixtures requirements.  New construction including interior renovations incorporated sustainable practices.