BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//AIA Houston - ECPv6.17.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://architecturehouston.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for AIA Houston
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20240310T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20241103T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20250309T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20251102T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20260308T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20261101T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20270314T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20271107T070000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251001T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251001T203000
DTSTAMP:20250927T112453Z
CREATED:20250828T182834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250927T112453Z
UID:10000159-1759341600-1759350600@architecturehouston.org
SUMMARY:COLORES
DESCRIPTION:COLORES\, Latinos in Architecture’s sixth annual celebration of Latino culture\, will take place October 1-3\, 2025 at Architecture Center Houston and Kirksey Architecture\, with conversations and presentations by Jesús Edmundo Robles\, Jr.\, Assoc. AIA and Cade Manning Hayes\, AIA\, of DUST\, AZ; Nadia Palacios Lauterbach\, AIA\,  of Nadia Palacios architecture + interiors + landscape; Tony Diaz\, El Librotraficante\, Director of Nuestra Palabra: Latinos Having Their Say; Chef Emmanuel Chavez of TATEMÓ; a conversation and tour of the future home of the Houston Hispanic Research Center with the City of Houston\, the Houston Public Library\, Buffalo Bayou Partnership\, and Brave/; Light bites by Avila Experiences; curated dinner by Chef Emmanuel Chavez of TATEMÓ Thursday evening ; performances by Danmar Academy of Performing Arts and a Mariachi quartet lead by Julian Corona-Medina. \nPlease consider becoming a sponsor of COLORES. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Architecture Center Houston’s Latinos in Architecture scholarship program\, established by the AIA Houston Latinos in Architecture Committee in 2019. More information about the scholarship program may be found here. \n\n\nWednesday\, October 1\, 6pm \nOn Wednesday\, October 1 we are thrilled to welcome Nadia Palacios Lauterbach\, AIA of Nadia Palacios architecture + interiors + landscape and Tony Diaz\, El Librotraficante\, Director of Nuestra Palabra: Latinos Having Their Say. \nNadia Palacios grew up in Nicaragua surrounded by books. Her parents were retired teachers and owned a bookstore. At night her father\, a history professor\, would share his favorite stories\, Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon\, Alexander the Great conquests\, the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Traveling the world\, through stories created a lasting impression associating those places and the unique architecture. \nNadia will share her personal journey into becoming an architect and how her family\, culture and travels have shaped her. Despite leaving Nicaragua in her teens\, her Latinidad never left her and has become an integral part of my identity as a person and as a professional. \n\n\nI form part of the generation that grew up translating English from the outside world into Spanish for our household. Today\, we are the generation that translates our community to the rest of the world through common structures and tools that form reality.  \nTony Diaz \nTony Diaz is the founder and director of Nuestra Palabra\, which a community-driven platform dedicated to amplifying the voice of Latino authors and visual artists within the community. He became the first Chicano to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Houston. Diaz recently published The Tip of The Pyramid: Cultivating Community Cultural Capital (2022)\, which explores the power of cultural and community capital.  Diaz is also one of the nation’s leading forces in fighting book bans and cultural censorship. He was dubbed El Librotraficante\, or book trafficker\, a decade ago after leading a grassroots campaign transporting thousands of banned books to Arizona\, which had removed Mexican-American studies classes from public-school curriculum. \nTony will share his story\, the Nuestra Palabra movement and why it’s important to celebrate the rich diversity of Latino literature and visual art\, offering narratives that resonate with the experiences and perspectives of the community. \nLite bites provided by Avila Experiences. \nArchitecture Center Houston\n902 Commerce St\nHouston\, TX 77002 \n \n\n\n  \n\nAbout Nadia Palacios Lauterbach\, AIA\nNadia Palacios Lauterbach is a registered Architect in the state of Texas and the state of Colorado. She credits her passion for design and architecture to her upbringing in the colonial cities of Nicaragua. She attended the prestigious School of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame\, where she received a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 2003.  Nadia In 2009\, Nadia founded Nadia Palacios Architecure + Interiors + Landscape\, where she pursues challenges in design and specializes in the creation of Homes and Gardens. \nNadia draws inspiration from many sources\, particularly from her travels through Europe and Latin America\, and she believes that architecture must stand the test of time and trends\, that all spaces must be livable and human in scale\, and that everything built must be beautiful. \nNadia lives with her husband John and sons Alexander and Lorenzo in a 1920’s bungalow in Houston’s Heights neighborhood; in her free time\, she enjoys drawing\, dancing Flamenco\, and volunteering at the The Houston Area Women’s Center. She is a 2013 recipient of a “Stars on the Rise” award\, a founding member of the Texas Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art\, an inductee of The Urban Guild\, a member of the American Institute of Architects\, the Texas Society of Architects\, the American Society of Interior Designers\, the Design Leadership Network (DLN)\, and the International Network for Traditional Building\, Architecture\, and Urbanism (INTBAU).  She is a frequent guest critic at her alma mater\, and a passionate mentor for the University of Houston’s Future Women in Architecture. \nAbout Tony Diaz\nWriter and activist Tony Diaz\, El Librotraficante\, is a Cultural Accelerator. He was the first Chicano to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Houston Creative Writing Program. In 1998\, he founded Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say (NP)\, Houston’s first reading series for Latino authors. The group galvanized Houston’s Community Cultural Capital to become a movement for civil rights\, education\, and representation. When Arizona officials banned Mexican American Studies\, Diaz and four veteran members of NP organized the 2012 Librotraficante Caravan to smuggle books from the banned curriculum back into Arizona. He is the author of The Aztec Love God. His book\, The Tip of the Pyramid: Cultivating Community Cultural Capital\, is the first in his series on Community Organizing. \n\nLatinos in Architecture COLORES Sponsors\nInformation about becoming a sponsor can be found here.  \nPlatinum Sponsor\nHOK\nLESCO Architectural Lighting\nPage\nTATEMÓ \nGold Sponsors\nAllegion\ncre8 Architects\nGage Architecture\nKirksey Architecture \nSilver Sponsors\nC.A. Walking Construction\nDurotech\nGSMA\nMACO Construction\nMartinez Architects\nMATRIX Structural\nMWA Architects\nPerkins&Will\nPowers Brown Architecture\nRDLR Architects \nBronze Sponsors\nBass Construction\nDaltile\nDBR Engineering\nDOOR Engineering\nIMEG\nRaba Kistner\nTarkett
URL:https://architecturehouston.org/event/colores-3/
LOCATION:Architecture Center Houston\, 902 Commerce St.\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Latinos in Architecture Committee
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://architecturehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Calendar-1-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Jennifer Ward":MAILTO:jennifer@aiahouston.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251002T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251002T220000
DTSTAMP:20251002T170941Z
CREATED:20250828T183436Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251002T170941Z
UID:10000160-1759426200-1759442400@architecturehouston.org
SUMMARY:COLORES
DESCRIPTION:COLORES\, Latinos in Architecture’s sixth annual celebration of Latino culture\, will take place October 1-3\, 2025 at Architecture Center Houston and Kirksey Architecture\, with conversations and presentations by Jesús Edmundo Robles\, Jr.\, Assoc. AIA and Cade Manning Hayes\, AIA\, of DUST\, AZ; Nadia Palacios Lauterbach\, AIA\,  of Nadia Palacios architecture + interiors + landscape; Tony Diaz\, El Librotraficante\, Director of Nuestra Palabra: Latinos Having Their Say; Chef Emmanuel Chavez of TATEMÓ; a conversation and tour of the future home of the Houston Hispanic Research Center with the City of Houston\, the Houston Public Library\, Buffalo Bayou Partnership\, and Brave/; Light bites by Avila Experiences; curated dinner by Chef Emmanuel Chavez of TATEMÓ Thursday evening ; performances by Danmar Academy of Performing Arts and a Mariachi quartet lead by Julian Corona-Medina. \nPlease consider becoming a sponsor of COLORES. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Architecture Center Houston’s Latinos in Architecture scholarship program\, established by the AIA Houston Latinos in Architecture Committee in 2019. More information about the scholarship program may be found here. \n\n\nThursday\, October 2\, 5:30pm \nAn evening with Jesús Edmundo Robles\, Jr.\, Assoc. AIA and Cade Manning Hayes\, AIA\, of DUST\, AZ and Chef Emmanuel Chavez\, of TATEMÓ; performances by Danmar Academy of Performing Arts and a Mariachi quartet led by Julian Corona-Medina. Curated dinner by Chef Emmanuel Chavez from TATEMÓ and appetizers by Avila Experiences. Drinks by The Little Taco Shop and dessert by Wonder Pops. \nDUST\, founded in 2007\, is known for its focus on sustainable design\, materiality\, and creating buildings that are resilient\, meaningful\, and integrated with their natural and cultural environments. Jesús Edmundo Robles\, Jr.\, Assoc. AIA and Cade Manning Hayes\, AIA\, will share their process of designing and building work through the understanding of\, respect for and sensitivity to the spirit of place. \nBorn in Mexico City and raised in Houston\, Chef Emmanuel Chavez spent his days after school helping to run his family’s Tex-Mex restaurant. Catching the restaurant bug\, in 2015\, he began a series of pop-up dinners around Houston. In 2016\, Chavez relocated to Seattle to work under chefs Eric Rivera (Alinea) and Derek Simcik\, named to Chicago’s 30 under 30.  After a 3-year stint in Seattle\, he returned to Houston to open his first restaurant\, Tatemó. Tatemó was named a Finalist for the 2023 James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant and that same year\, Chef Chavez was named to the Best New Chef class by Food & Wine. In 2024\, Chef Chavez was named a Finalist for Best Chef: Texas by the James Beard Foundation and received a 2024 Michelin star. \nKirksey Architecture\n6909 Portwest Dr\nHouston\, TX 77024 \nTICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE DOOR FOR THURSDAY.\nTickets for Friday’s tour can be purchased here. \n\n\nAbout DUST \nDUST is a collective of creative souls firmly grounded in the tactile\, in pursuit of the intangible. \nThe studio explores ideas and ethics rooted in a reverent intimacy with craft and place. Ideas unfold in the creative space of intersections and find form through respect for nature\, cultural histories\, material\, and our perceptions. \nThe seeds of this practice were planted in the late 1990s on the vast plains of the Llano Estacado in West Texas; the studio was born in Tucson\, Arizona in 2007 as a collaboration between Cade Hayes and Jesús Robles and has grown to a team of nine\, providing Architecture\, Planning\, and Construction services. \nThe work stands as both a concrete marker on the landscape\, and as a frame focused on the essential\, where ephemeral moments can find their place in the timeless realm of memory. \nAbout Chef Emmanuel Cheavez \nChef Emmanuel Chavez is the visionary founder and culinary heart behind Tatemó\, a Michelin‑starred tasting‑menu gem in Houston’s Spring Branch. Born in Mexico City and raised in Houston from age 10\, Chavez grew up amid the rhythms of the Tex‑Mex restaurant his parents worked at — learning early how to chop\, serve\, and love food. \nAfter a formative 3-year stint in Seattle\, Chavez returned to Houston where he dove deep into the art of nixtamalization and respecting cultural roots\, developing a passion for heirloom corn. That dedication drove him to grind 80 lbs of masa weekly\, shape tortillas by hand\, and build a menu where maize is both canvas and character. \nStarting in Farmers Markets in 2020 and then opening a brick and mortar in early 2022\, Tatemó quickly gained acclaim: National Finalist for the James Beard Best New Restaurant 2023 and Best Chef: Texas in 2024 and 2025\, Food & Wine Best New Chef 2023\, and a coveted Michelin star in Texas’ inaugural guide in 2024. Chef’s praise dishes like Mexico-City style fried quesadilla with caviar and Enmoladas featuring masa-tempura and mole — each plate a celebration of Mexican tradition and Texas terroir. \nChavez sees Tatemó as a cultural conversation starter—“not a Mexican restaurant\, but a Houston restaurant” grounded in local Texas produce and immigrant ingenuity. His mission? Revive maize’s legacy\, empower farmers\, and bring artisanal corn forward—one tortilla at a time. \n\nLatinos in Architecture COLORES Sponsors\nInformation about becoming a sponsor can be found here.  \nPlatinum Sponsor\nHOK\nLESCO Architectural Lighting\nPage\nTATEMÓ \nGold Sponsors\nAllegion\ncre8 Architects\nGage Architecture\nKirksey Architecture \nSilver Sponsors\nC.A. Walking Construction\nDurotech\nGSMA\nMACO Construction\nMartinez Architects\nMATRIX Structural\nMWA Architects\nPerkins&Will\nPowers Brown Architecture\nRDLR Architects \nBronze Sponsors\nBass Construction\nDaltile\nDBR Engineering\nDOOR Engineering\nIMEG\nRaba Kistner\nTarkett
URL:https://architecturehouston.org/event/colores-4/
LOCATION:Kirksey Architecture\, 6909 Portwest Dr\, Houston\, 77024\, United States
CATEGORIES:Latinos in Architecture Committee
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://architecturehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Calendar-1-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Jennifer Ward":MAILTO:jennifer@aiahouston.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251003T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251003T173000
DTSTAMP:20251002T165557Z
CREATED:20250828T185011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251002T165557Z
UID:10000161-1759507200-1759512600@architecturehouston.org
SUMMARY:COLORES
DESCRIPTION:COLORES\, Latinos in Architecture’s sixth annual celebration of Latino culture\, will take place October 1-3\, 2025 at Architecture Center Houston and Kirksey Architecture\, with conversations and presentations by Jesús Edmundo Robles\, Jr.\, Assoc. AIA and Cade Manning Hayes\, AIA\, of DUST\, AZ; Nadia Palacios Lauterbach\, AIA\,  of Nadia Palacios architecture + interiors + landscape; Tony Diaz\, El Librotraficante\, Director of Nuestra Palabra: Latinos Having Their Say; Chef Emmanuel Chavez of TATEMÓ; a conversation and tour of the future home of the Houston Hispanic Research Center with the City of Houston\, the Houston Public Library\, Buffalo Bayou Partnership\, and Brave/; Light bites by Avila Experiences; curated dinner by Chef Emmanuel Chavez of TATEMÓ Thursday evening ; performances by Danmar Academy of Performing Arts and a Mariachi quartet lead by Julian Corona-Medina. \nPlease consider becoming a sponsor of COLORES. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Architecture Center Houston’s Latinos in Architecture scholarship program\, established by the AIA Houston Latinos in Architecture Committee in 2019. More information about the scholarship program may be found here. \n\n\nFriday\, October 3\, 4pm \nA conversation and tour of the future home of the Hispanic History Research Center with the City of Houston\, the Houston Public Library\, Buffalo Bayou Partnership\, and Brave/. \nThe Hispanic History Research Center\, which will be located in the Turkey Bend area\, focuses on the history and cultural contributions of Houston’s Hispanic community\, offering a wealth of resources and materials that celebrate the diverse heritage of Hispanic Texans. \nMaterials range in date from 1703 to the present\, with the bulk of the material covering the 1920s through the 1980s\, including historical documents\, photographs\, cultural artifacts\, and oral histories. The center will provide valuable insights into the region’s rich Hispanic roots. It will become a cornerstone for research on Hispanic history and will continue the mission of making diverse historical narratives accessible to all. \nThe event has been approved for 1 LU \n  \n\n\n\nAbout Turkey Bend (Part of Buffalo Bayou East Master Plan) \nTurkey Bend is situated at the only location where Buffalo Bayou meets Navigation Boulevard\, a main thoroughfare for the East End. The site’s former industrial structures\, including warehouses\, an expansive wooden wharf\, and gantry crane\, will be reimagined and repurposed as a central hub for East End and Fifth Ward community activities\, events\, and culture. \n\nThe warehouse on Navigation Boulevard is being renovated to host community events in the near-term and\, in the long-term\, retail space for local businesses and the Houston Public Library’s Hispanic History Research Center. An open plaza will connect to the waterfront through a unique art tunnel.\nThe site’s historic wharf will be transformed into an inviting waterfront park for gathering\, performances\, and events.\nDue to its location on a protected oxbow\, Turkey Bend will also become the boating hub of Buffalo Bayou East with safe access for canoeing\, kayaking\, and pontoon boat tours.\nNavigation Boulevard will be realigned to allow for safe pedestrian and bicycle connections.\n\n\nLatinos in Architecture COLORES Sponsors\nInformation about becoming a sponsor can be found here.  \nPlatinum Sponsor\nHOK\nLESCO Architectural Lighting\nPage\nTATEMÓ \nGold Sponsors\nAllegion\ncre8 Architects\nGage Architecture\nKirksey Architecture \nSilver Sponsors\nC.A. Walking Construction\nDurotech\nGSMA\nMACO Construction\nMartinez Architects\nMATRIX Structural\nMWA Architects\nPerkins&Will\nPowers Brown Architecture\nRDLR Architects \nBronze Sponsors\nBass Construction\nDaltile\nDBR Engineering\nDOOR Engineering\nIMEG\nRaba Kistner\nTarkett
URL:https://architecturehouston.org/event/colores-5/
LOCATION:Turkey Bend
CATEGORIES:Continuing Education,Latinos in Architecture Committee
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://architecturehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Calendar-1-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Jennifer Ward":MAILTO:jennifer@aiahouston.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251111T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251111T200000
DTSTAMP:20251030T173930Z
CREATED:20251024T185637Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251030T173930Z
UID:10000193-1762884000-1762891200@architecturehouston.org
SUMMARY:Nuestro Ambiente at a Crossroad
DESCRIPTION:Join award-winning journalist Linda Lorelle and a panel of experts\, Cesar Espinosa (FIEL)\, Charles Foster (Foster LLP)\, Stan Marek (MAREK)\, and Emiliano Valencia (ABIC)\, for an insightful conversation about the vital role undocumented laborers have played in America’s construction workforce\, the real human and economic costs of the current immigration system\, and proposed policy solutions to provide legal status for foreign workers to meet nation’s growing workforce needs. \nPanlists: \nCesar Espinosa\nCesar Espinosa is co-founder and current Executive Director of the largest immigrant-led civil rights organization in Texas named FIEL (Familias Inmigrantes y Estudiantes en la Lucha – Immigrant Families and Students in the Fight). \nFIEL is immigrant-led organization that seeks to empower the immigrant community in Houston\, the State of Texas and The United States. Mr. Espinosa has served and is currently serving on a variety of boards at the local\, state and national level. \nHe has also always worked on a variety of issues including\, race relations\, police reform and a variety of issues uplifting many communities. Mr. Espinosa is an advocate for immigrants’ rights\, students’ rights and human rights. \nCharles Foster\nCharles C. Foster is the Chairman of Foster LLP and is based in the Houston office. \nCharles has dedicated much of his career to the improvement of his community. He served as senior immigration policy advisor to President George W. Bush in the 2000 and 2004 Presidential campaigns and as an immigration policy advisor to Barack Obama in the 2008 campaign. He is the founding Chairman of the Immigration & Nationality Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and has previously served as Chairman of the Governor’s Task Force on Immigration\, the Greater Houston Partnership’s Economic Development Advisory Committee and World Trade Division\, the American Bar Association’s Coordinating Committee on Immigration Law\, and the State Bar of Texas Committee on Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality and is past National President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)\, the Houston Forum and the Houston Club and Board member of Ripley / Baker. \nStan Marek\nStan Marek\, CEO of MAREK\, one of the largest interior contractors in the Southwest. Stan has been focused on workforce development\, sustainability and Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  He is the co-founder of Texans For Sensible Immigration Policy and a member of the Greater Houston Partnership’s task force\, Americans For Immigration Reform. \nEmiliano Valencia\nEmiliano Valencia is the Texas deputy director for the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC). ABIC is a bipartisan coalition of over 1\,800 employers and CEOs from across the country to provide a strong and unified voice seeking lasting immigration solutions. ABIC employers include agriculture\, manufacturing\, healthcare\, hospitality\, technology\, and construction. \n  \nImage: Yo Creo by Real 333 (Eliud Zavala). Located in the Second Ward on the former Talento Bilingue de Houston building. Courtesy of Luis Ayala. \n\nNuestro Ambiente at a Crossroads is in conjunction with our current exhibition\, Nuestro Ambiente: Latinos Shaping Houston\, on view through January 30 at Architecture Center Houston. \nExhibition and Programming Sponsors\nMarek; Martinez Architects; Gage Architecture; RDLR Architects; Regional Hispanic Contractors Association InfraTECH; DBR; Kirksey Architecture; Daniel Ortiz\, AIA; Wilson and Catherine Maxey.
URL:https://architecturehouston.org/event/nuestro-ambiente-at-a-crossroad/
LOCATION:Architecture Center Houston\, 902 Commerce St.\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions & Programming Committee,Latinos in Architecture Committee
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://architecturehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Calendar-5.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Jennifer Ward":MAILTO:jennifer@aiahouston.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251202T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251202T200000
DTSTAMP:20251202T210105Z
CREATED:20251027T031213Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T210105Z
UID:10000194-1764698400-1764705600@architecturehouston.org
SUMMARY:Innovators in Discussion
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an open and insightful forum celebrating the voices of Latino and Latina architects who have shaped—and continue to shape—Houston’s built environment. This session\, part of the TertuLiAs series\, brings together more than ten distinguished professionals whose work spans decades of influence\, innovation\, and cultural expression in architecture and design. \nInnovators in Discussion looks to the past to pave the way for Houston’s future. Through compelling stories and meaningful dialogue\, panelists will reflect on their personal journeys\, the cultural heritage that informs their work\, and the evolving role of Latino professionals in the architectural landscape. \nPanelists:\nFernando Brave\, FAIA\nArt Chavez\, AIA\nRomulo Tim Cisneros\, AIA\nBenito Guerrier\, AIA\nCarlos Jiménez\nRafael Longoria\, AIA\nCamilo Parra\, AIA\nRoger Soto\, AIA\nLorie Westrick\, AIA \nmoderated by\nStephen Fox \nThis session is organized by the LiA Exhibition Committee and the LiA Outreach Committee of the AIA Houston Chapter’s Latinos in Architecture (LiA). It is part of the 2025 Nuestro Ambiente exhibition\, which honors trailblazers in our community and fosters a shared sense of belonging through architecture.
URL:https://architecturehouston.org/event/innovators-in-discussion/
LOCATION:Architecture Center Houston\, 902 Commerce St.\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions & Programming Committee,Latinos in Architecture Committee
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://architecturehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Artboard-6_1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260131T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260131T133000
DTSTAMP:20251217T214853Z
CREATED:20251202T033002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251217T214853Z
UID:10000206-1769860800-1769866200@architecturehouston.org
SUMMARY:Get to Know an Architect: Patrick Lopez
DESCRIPTION:Patrick Lopez (1937-2018) studied architecture at the University of Texas and the University of Houston and opened his own design firm in 1964. Yet it was his childhood fascination with images in comic books and cartoons that inspired his career as an illustrator. His talents were recognized and sought after by major firms across the country. Lopez spent years working with some of the best architects\, including Helmut Jahn\, Philip Johnson\, John Burgee\, S. I. Morris\, and Eugene Aubry. \nIn collaboration with the Houston History Research Center (HHRC)\, join us on Saturday\, January 31\, at the Julian Ideson Library for a conversation and a look at the library’s collection of Lopez’s architectural renderings with HHRC Architecture Archivist Ginger Berni. \nThe event is free and open to the community. RSVP here. \n\nThis event is part of our current exhibition\, Nuestro Ambiente\, on view through January 30\, 2026. \nExhibition and Programming Sponsors:\nInfraTECH; Luis Ayala Studio; Marek; Martinez Architects; Page now Stantec; Spaw Glass; RDLR; McCoy Rockford; and Art Chavez\, AIA. \nAdditional support provided by\nDBR\, Wilson and Catherine Maxey\, and Daniel Ortiz\, AIA
URL:https://architecturehouston.org/event/patrick-lopez-architect-and-artist/
LOCATION:Julia Ideson Building\, 550 McKinney St\, Houston\, TX\, 77002
CATEGORIES:Latinos in Architecture Committee
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://architecturehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Artboard-6_2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T200000
DTSTAMP:20260401T193003Z
CREATED:20260324T165117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T193003Z
UID:10000258-1776189600-1776196800@architecturehouston.org
SUMMARY:TertuLiAs: Designing the Everyday
DESCRIPTION:Join the Latinos in Architecture (LiA) Committee for an intimate TertuLiA a three-part series featuring leaders from diverse practice areas. The series highlights how Latino professionals are finding their voice\, contributing to the profession\, advocating for representation\, and uplifting the next generation\, from high school students to emerging architects. While reflecting on how Houston’s Latino population influences design and architectural work across the industry. \nFor our first 2026 TertuLiA\, we are focusing on residential\, design–build\, high-end\, and small commercial practices including Paul Benavente (Stella Maris Architecture)\, Luisa Aurrecoechea (LEAM Design + Build)\, Franco Albarran\, AIA (Albarran Architects) and Paola Rubio (Paola Rubio Design Studio). Starting the TertuLiAs series this year with residential design professionals offers meaningful benefits for us as Latinos in Architecture. Residential work remains one of the most accessible and community-connected areas of practice\, especially for early- and mid-career Latino designers. By learning from colleagues who specialize in residential\, design–build\, high end projects and small commercial\, we gain insight into project delivery methods\, client engagement\, and business development models that often lead to entrepreneurial opportunities\, pathways where Latinos have historically thrived. \nOf the over 121\,000 registered architects in the United States\, only 6 percent identify as Latino or Hispanic\, according to NCARB.  Latinos represent 19.1 percent of the total U.S. population\, the nation’s second largest ethnic group.  In Houston\, Latinos comprise 44.1 percent of the population. \nJoin us for this first 2026 session to hear about their experience\, their journey\, challenges\, successes\, and how they’ve shaped their practice. \nThis session will take place at one of LEAM Design + Build’s residential projects. \n\nAbout the Panelists \nFranco Albarran\, AIA\nFranco has extensive knowledge in Custom Residential Architectural Design and Construction. He also has an excellent construction discipline as he coordinates the interconnectivity of architecture and construction. His job site awareness brings a higher level of control through proactive steps that elevate the value of the project. Franco‘s passion for design and construction have led him to be fully engaged in both disciplines of architecture and construction. He feels both disciplines are interconnected and provide feedback for one another. \nLuisa Aurrecoechea\, LEED AP BD+C\nLuisa Aurrecoechea is the founder and principal of LEAM Design Build\, a Houston-based design and construction firm specializing in custom residential architecture and interior design. Originally from Venezuela\, Luisa earned her architecture degree in Caracas and later completed a Master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma and a furniture design degree at the University of Buenos Aires. \nShe began her career working on a wide range of commercial and institutional projects in the United States\, including schools\, theaters\, and large-scale developments. After years in commercial architecture\, she founded her own firm to design and build thoughtfully crafted homes that blend sustainability\, practicality\, and contemporary design. \nWith over a decade of professional experience\, Luisa is passionate about guiding clients through the entire process\, from concept and design to construction\, creating homes and interiors that are both beautiful and functional. Her work emphasizes efficient building methods\, strong collaboration with clients and builders\, and spaces that support the way families live today. \nPaul Benavente\nPaul Benavente owns and operates Stella Maris Architecture\, which is located within a NASA-era building across from Space Center Houston.  He and a long-term architecture colleague serve projects in light commercial\, residential\, and institutional sectors. Paul earned degrees in Architecture and Scholastic Philosophy in 2002 and 2007\, respectively. He possesses licenses in Texas and New Mexico. \nPaul finds inspiration in domestic and international travel\, making each vacation a “study trip” in architecture.  Both Instagram and the office photo document these inspiring moments in architecture.  His education in philosophy is foundational to his practice.  The firm’s motto derives from a perennial understanding of beauty in created work: “Beauty as a Discipline of Architectural Practice.”  A study of architecture explained according to philosophical principles was nationally published in Palladiana\, 2020\, and continues to be a source of education passed on to students.  The craft of building is a passion.  Paul has visited fabrication shops of various trades and has organized open house events for trades such as terrazzo and decorative plaster. \nPaola Rubio\nPaola Rubio is the Founder and Creative Director of Paola Rubio Design Studio\, a Houston-based boutique interior design studio specializing in high-impact commercial and hospitality environments. Born and raised in Veracruz\, Mexico\, Paola began her career in architecture\, graduating with honors from the National Technological Institute of Mexico before relocating to Houston to pursue her passion for interior design. \nShe began her U.S. career at a high-end residential design firm\, where she developed a strong foundation in luxury detailing and refined aesthetics. Driven by a deeper passion for experiential spaces\, Paola transitioned into the commercial sector\, serving as Design Director at a design-build firm known for delivering complex\, high-end projects. \nNow leading her own studio\, Paola focuses on creating thoughtful\, brand-driven environments that elevate the user experience. Her work reflects a balance between creative vision and real-world execution\, shaped by her design-to-build approach. She is currently pursuing her NCIDQ certification while continuing to expand her growing portfolio of commercial projects across Texas.
URL:https://architecturehouston.org/event/tertulias-designing-the-everyday/
LOCATION:LEAM Project Site\, 1226 Krist Dr\, Houston\, TX\, 77055\, United States
CATEGORIES:Latinos in Architecture Committee
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://architecturehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Calendar-4.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Jennifer Ward":MAILTO:jennifer@aiahouston.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260826T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260826T193000
DTSTAMP:20260812T135212Z
CREATED:20260807T184426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T135212Z
UID:10000302-1787767200-1787772600@architecturehouston.org
SUMMARY:EnLAce: Domino Night with LiA Maestros
DESCRIPTION:This year’s Enlace introduces a new and engaging format: a rotating domino game night designed to spark genuine conversations and connections in a relaxed\, interactive environment. Through time-based gameplay and table rotations\, participants will have the opportunity to engage with several LiA Maestros throughout the evening\, creating a unique\, fun\, and memorable mentoring experience. \nEnLAce is open to all professionals looking for career development and growth. \nNo dominoes experience required. We will begin the evening with a brief tutorial to make it easy and enjoyable for everyone to participate. \nLuis Ayala\, AIA\, Luis Ayala Studio\nSofia Fonseca de Nino\, AIA\nMichael Gonzales\, AIA\, protolab\nYvette Herrera Duran\, Assoc. AIA\, Stantec\nDaniel Ortiz\, AIA\, RDLR\nBayardo Selva\, AIA\, Cre8\nCindy Villareal\, AIA\, O’Connell Robertson \nGenerously sponsored by Perkins&Will.  \n\nLuis Ayala\, AIA\, Owner\, Luis Ayala Studio\nLuis is a Paraguayan architect that migrated to Houston in 2007. He has focused mostly on the design of education facilities for higher education institutions and K-12 schools. His expertise includes campus design\, master planning\, programming\, and facility design. \nLuis has many other skills that complement his abilities as a designer and architect. Sustainability is one of Luis’s stronger interests\, and many of his projects have received design awards recognizing his innovation in green design. Luis is also an avid architectural photographer\, recognized in 2017 by the Texas Society of Architects with the Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Architecture Trough the Media. \nLuis fluently speaks Spanish\, Portuguese\, Italian\, and English. In 2016\, Luis was distinguished by YAF Houston as a part Emerging Voices Exhibition and later the same year by AIA National as an Emerging Professional. Recently\, in 2020 the AIA Houston awarded him with the Ben Brewer Award for Young Architects. \nMichael Gonzales\, AIA\, Owner\, protolab\nMichael Gonzales is the owner and principal of Protolab Architects. Michael specializes in digital fabrication innovation for civic\, cultural and commercial projects. He has extensive experience working with the latest fabrication technologies to develop efficient strategies for optimal construction and project delivery at all scales and complexities. Michael is also an Instructional Associate Professor at the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design where he focuses on the integration of digital design and fabrication. He actively publishes and lectures on emerging techniques in computation and design \n  \nYvette Herrera Duran\, Assoc. AIA\, Stantec\nYvette Herrera Duran is an architectural designer based in Houston Texas. Her experience expands from many years in high-end residential design to now corporate commercial architecture at Page. \nBorn and raised in Guatemala\, she moved to Miami to pursue her Undergraduate Studies in Interior Design at Florida International University. After working for a few years at a high-end residential architecture firm\, where architecture and interiors were strongly interconnected\, she pursued her master’s in architecture at Rice University. \nFrom an early age she was trained in flamenco dancing\, which she has continued practicing. During her years in Miami\, she trained in ballroom dance and later\, while getting her masters\, she complimented her knowledge in the arts with theatre classes.  All these various art languages influence how she experiences spaces and the development of her detailed oriented designs.  She currently works in various design typologies from academic to healthcare to multifamily communities. \nDaniel Ortiz\, AIA\, President and Managing Principal\, RDLR Architects\nDaniel Ortiz\, AIA\, was born in Ecuador and serves as President and Managing Principal of RDLR Architects\, a Houston firm dedicated to community-driven design. Under his leadership\, RDLR creates architecture that strengthens neighborhoods through public\, nonprofit\, transit\, education\, and housing projects. He also serves as Board President of Avenue CDC and Chairman of TIRZ 21\, advancing equitable community development in Houston’s Near Northside. \nBayardo Selva\, AIA\, Cre8\nBayardo has turn his childhood building blocks play time into an Architectural career that expands over 20 years. His experienced has allowed him to engage a wide variety of project types and scales. He actively participates in the community through different organizations promoting architecture\, protecting the environment\, mentoring the youth and celebrating diversity including AIA Houston Young Architects Forum (Chair\, 2014)\, AIA Board of Directors 2015-2018 and 2023-present (AIAH Board President\, 2026)\, Houston Hispanic Architects and Engineers Board Member 2016-2019\, Houston MOD Board Member 2019-Present\, Houston Fit Running Club 2012-Present\, and founding member of the AIA Houston Latinos in Architecture. \nHe considers himself a student of the profession and enjoys perfecting his craft! \n\nCindy Villareal\, AIA\, Houston Office Director\, O’Connell Robertson\nCindy Villarreal is a seasoned leader in architectural planning and project acquisition\, with a strong focus on higher education and healthcare initiatives across Texas. As the Houston Office Director\, Cindy is instrumental in expanding business development efforts throughout the Houston region while driving strategic growth statewide. \nWith decades of experience in the design of higher education and Science and Technology facilities\, Cindy has led projects ranging from allied health and nursing schools to dental institutions and advanced diagnostics and neuroscience laboratories. Her expertise lies in managing multidisciplinary design teams and fostering collaboration to ensure projects are delivered successfully. \nCindy is a passionate advocate for sustainable and resilient design. She champions human-centric environments that prioritize occupant well-being and support thriving communities. Her leadership continues to shape spaces that are not only functional and efficient but also inspiring and inclusive.
URL:https://architecturehouston.org/event/enlace-domino-night-with-lia-maestros/
LOCATION:Architecture Center Houston\, 902 Commerce St.\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Latinos in Architecture Committee
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://architecturehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/LIA-Enlace-Domino-Night_16x9-Website-scaled.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Jennifer Ward":MAILTO:jennifer@aiahouston.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260915T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260915T203000
DTSTAMP:20260812T183715Z
CREATED:20260806T191216Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T183715Z
UID:10000303-1789498800-1789504200@architecturehouston.org
SUMMARY:Latinos in Architecture: MaS
DESCRIPTION:The Latinos in Architecture (LiA) collegiate Mentorship and Scholarship program (MaS)\, through AIA Houston and Architecture Center Houston\, intends to bridge the gap between students and professionals in the Latino architecture community. The MaS program matches college students pursuing a career path in architecture with a mentor who has an established career in the field. The program is for Latino students who are striving to influence the future of the built environment and the architecture profession. MaS will kick off on September 15\, 2026\, and conclude in May 2027. \n\n\n\n\n\nPROGRAM ELIGIBILITYfor the mentorship: \n\nStudents have the option to participate only in the mentorship program and not pursue the scholarship. But students are welcome to participate in any MaS-related events.\nStudents pursuing a degree in architecture at the University of Houston\, Rice University\, or Prairie View A&M University.\nThe program is open to both US citizens and foreign students.\n\nfor the scholarship: \n\nStudents with at least one more academic year to apply scholarship funds directly to tuition. \nStudents with full scholarships are not eligible.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTSThe 2026-2027 program starts in September 2026 and ends in May 2027. \n\nRegularly check in with an assigned mentor (at least 4 times). These meetings can be in-person\, virtual\, or via phone call. \n​Participate in the kick-off event where they will meet the mentors. Kick-off will take place September 15 at 7pm. \nParticipate in the portfolio review organized by the LiA Committee.\nAttend three LiA\, AIAH\, TSA or HNOMA-sponsored events. Not including student chapters or student-led events. Students are required to take a selfie at each event.\nAttend their university or college career fair.\nSubmit a PDF on a project or portfolio at the end of the Fall semester.\nSubmit a 5-minute video on a project or portfolio at the end of the Spring semester. The video should not be a recording of a class crit and should not exceed 5 minutes.\n\n\n\n\n\nAWARDS \nStudents must participate in the listed activities to be considered for the scholarship. These activities are meant to support and complement the student’s academic career. \nScholarships will be awarded based on student participation in the program and their end-of-semester submission\, which will be reviewed by a jury. 
URL:https://architecturehouston.org/event/latinos-in-architecture-mas2026/
LOCATION:Architecture Center Houston\, 902 Commerce St.\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Latinos in Architecture Committee
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://architecturehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Artboard-2-100.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Jennifer Ward":MAILTO:jennifer@aiahouston.org
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR