In June 2019 the Houston Endowment, one of Texas’ largest philanthropic organizations, launched an international competition soliciting designs for a new headquarters, receiving over 120 initial team entries from 22 countries. Four teams were shortlisted and asked to create detailed concept designs for the project; in November the Selection Committee announced the team led by kevin daly Architects and Mexico City-based design collaborator Productora as the unanimous winner, securing the fast-track commission set to open in 2022

The new headquarters provides a fresh identity, permanent address, and an environmentally sound workplace for the foundation. Located near downtown on a prominent 1.5-acre parcel in Spotts Park near the banks of the Buffalo Bayou, the building’s design and programming are strongly connected to the site and influenced by the organizations mission of community enrichment through empowering a stronger and healthier Houston.

The program consists of 25,000SF of office space including large, multi-use event and meeting spaces on the ground floor, a mix of enclosed and open workspaces for staff, and flexible conference rooms. A hybrid structural system composed of steel framing and cross laminated timber provides the building with a flexible and efficient framework with which to freely organize operations. An energy-generating canopy structure evokes the surrounding tree canopy and foliage, as an intricate lattice provides sun control to the interiors and open terraces.

Recognizing the foundations ambitious goals for both reducing the environmental impact and optimizing the operational facility of their new headquarters, the 2030 Net Zero Challenge has been set as the project’s primary sustainability objective. This standard provides an achievable and forward-thinking framework in setting a goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 through prioritizing energy-efficient planning and design.