AIA Houston

HXD Week: University of Houston RAD Center Tour
2025-08-19 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Univeristy of Houston RAD Center, 3457 Cullen Blvd., Houston, TX, 77204, United States
University of Houston RAD Center Tour
Step into the RAD Center’s innovative mass timber structure, where vertical rhythms and glass façades bring the surrounding woodlands inside. Before the RAD Center, this site was home to an underground dining facility—a once-bustling student space that was severely damaged during Hurricane Harvey. Our tour will explore this project inside and outward. The design draws inspiration from the surrounding woodlands: vertical timber columns mimic tree trunks, multi-story overlaps create dynamic spatial connections, and expansive glass façades reflect and invite in the natural canopy. The result is a space that blurs the line between indoors and out—welcoming students to gather, dine, study, and recharge. During our tour, attendees will explore this architectural transformation firsthand, witnessing how thoughtful design can reframe student life and elevate everyday experiences.
AIA Credit
1.0 HSW
Parking:
1) Park at UH Stadium Garage – Visitor Parking (payment required); 3874 Holman St., Houston, TX 77004
2) Walk across Cullen to Entrance 14
3) Continue down sidewalks to RAD Center
See map HERE.

HXD Week: Redefining the Workspace
2025-08-19 12:00 - 13:30 | Debner, 6930 Portwest Drive, Houston, TX, 77024, United States
Redefining the Workplace: Settings for Relationship-Based Work
Recent shifts have organizations thinking about work and workplace in new ways. You’ll learn how taking a more relationship-based approach to workplace planning–as opposed to an activity-based approach–considers who needs to be supported and the nature of their interactions. And you’ll explore space typologies, or settings, that can help organizations support wellbeing, facilitate connection, and navigate change for individuals, groups, and the broader community.
Continuing Education
AIA 1.0 LU/HSW
IDCEC 1.0 CEU
Catered lunch will be provided.
Parking
Surface lot

HXD Week: The Furniture Bank - A Place to Dream Fundraiser & Warehouse Tour
2025-08-19 17:00 - 20:30 | Houston Furniture Bank, 8220 Mosley Rd., Houston, 77075, United States
The Furniture Bank Documentary: A Place to Dream
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we lift the curtain on A Place to Dream, the powerful new documentary from the creative minds behind the Houston Furniture Bank’s “No Kids on the Floor” initiative. This event offers a first look at the film’s emotional impact, spotlighting the children and families who are finally getting a place to rest, a place to thrive, and a place to dream, thanks to the mission to end furniture poverty in Houston. Mingle with the Founder of The Furniture Bank, Oli Mohammed, enjoy drinks and light bites, and be among the first to see exclusive footage and hear behind-the-scenes stories of how the documentary is coming along. This is more than a screening, it’s a call to action. Your support helps bring awareness to the 300,000+ children in our city who sleep without a bed and fuels the movement to give every child a place to dream. Space is limited, don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the change.

Biographies

Oli Mohammed
Founder & Executive Director, The Furniture Bank
Oli Mohammed is a visionary leader and changemaker with more than three decades of experience driving systemic change in the nonprofit sector. As the Founder and Executive Director of the Houston Furniture Bank, Oli has dedicated his life to the mission of “Making Empty Houses Homes,” helping to provide essential furniture to thousands of under-resourced families across the Greater Houston area. Under his leadership, the organization has grown from a grassroots initiative into a city-wide movement, delivering over 100,000 pieces of furniture and bedding to those in need, including through his pioneering “No Kids on the Floor” campaign.
Oli brings a global perspective and deep community commitment to his work. He holds a Master of Social Science in Political Science from the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh and has previously worked with the United Nations Environment Programme. He also spent over a decade with Harris County’s Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority, where he first managed the early Furniture Bank program.
With a strong foundation in grassroots organizing, policy analysis, and community engagement, Oli has served on national and international nonprofit boards, including UNICEF USA and the National Furniture Bank Association, shaping strategies that continue to make a lasting impact on vulnerable communities.

Ryne Thunderhawk
Founder, Thunderhawk Creative
A dynamic creative professional with over 16 years of experience in marketing and business development, Ryne Thunderhawk is driven by a passion for elevating the voices of diverse local entrepreneurs and community-rooted organizations. Throughout his career, Ryne has built a reputation for cultivating inclusive, collaborative spaces where underrepresented businesses can thrive. His strength lies in bringing people together, merging ideas, cultures, and talents, to forge strategic partnerships that lead to measurable growth. Ryne excels in leadership roles that require both visionary thinking and tactical execution. His expertise spans brand management, digital and print media, strategic market positioning, and storytelling that resonates with real communities. He approaches every project with a deep sense of purpose, blending creativity and impact to foster sustainable, community-focused success. With a relentless commitment to empowerment, equity, and innovation, Ryne is ready to help your mission take flight, and make your vision soar.

Kip Altstaetter
Principal, The KipCo & CS Gulf Coast

Kip Altstaetter is the Managing Partner and Principal of The KipCo & CS Gulf Coast, proudly serving the Texas Gulf Coast architecture and design community since 2010. With a focus on healthcare and K–12 interiors, Kip brings together form and function through a curated portfolio of performance-driven, design-forward products. His offerings include Construction Specialties’ Acrovyn Wall Protection and Door Systems, Mondo Contract Rubber Flooring for acoustic and ergonomic solutions, and Lonseal Resilient Flooring for specialty environments.

Born in the Florida panhandle and a graduate of The University of Alabama, Kip moved to Houston over twenty years ago and quickly found his passion in the dynamic world of commercial interiors. What began as a simple idea to provide great service with high-quality products has grown into a rewarding career filled with creative partnerships and meaningful industry impact.

In 2009, Kip co-founded an idea with Jessy Fuller that would eventually become Product Runway—a now-legendary event where product reps and interior designers turn architectural finishes into couture fashion. From humble beginnings, the event has grown into a philanthropic powerhouse and a cherished tradition in the design community. Kip is honored to be part of its journey and remains a proud champion of innovation, community, and creativity in the A&D industry.

Parking information
Metered surface lot parking available. Click here for map.
North Entry Blocked by Construction – Mosley is a temporary one-way road. Enter from South Entrance, Easiest Access from I-45 is from Bryant Street (Mosley is One-Way toward Airport Boulevard)

HXD Week: Power Hour - Beyond the Building
2025-08-20 07:30 - 09:30 | McCoy Rockford, 6869 Old Katy Road, Houston, TX, 77024, United States
Power Hour – Beyond the Building: Designing for Learning, Growth, and Lifelong Impact
Architecture for education is about more than classrooms and campuses—it’s about shaping environments that inspire curiosity, foster equity, and support learners of all ages. This year’s panel will explore how architects can design spaces that promote meaningful learning experiences, not just for students, but for entire communities.
Join us for a powerful conversation with education-focused architects and designers, school leaders, and community voices as we examine how thoughtful design can spark creativity, support mental well-being, and cultivate a culture of lifelong learning. Together, we’ll explore the intersection of pedagogy and design, discuss lessons from K-12 and higher education projects, and unpack how schools can serve as civic anchors that empower future generations.
Key Topics May Include:

How design influences learning outcomes and student well-being
The architect’s role in creating inclusive, flexible, and equitable educational environments
Designing for neurodiversity, accessibility, and trauma-informed spaces
Community engagement in school design
Rethinking the school as a lifelong learning hub

MORE DETAILS TO COME!

HXD Week: Mohawk Fractal Findings
2025-08-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Venue, 2808 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX, 77098, United States
Mohawk Fractal Findings
Fractals are repeatable patterns that occur throughout our natural world. Scientists have found that we are fluent at perceiving fractals in nature and receiving their benefits. Building on our collaboration with 13&9 Design and Dr. Richard Taylor of Fractals Research, Fractal Findings expands Mohawk Group’s collections of fractal-based patterns that support well- being and are scientifically proven to reduce stress in all types of spaces. As a result, environments are more conducive for people to live, work, play, learn, and innovate. The benefits of nature are indisputable. From decreasing stress levels to improving overall health, our natural surroundings have a powerful effect on well-being. Consequently, humans possess an innate tendency to connect with the outdoors. When nature is brought into the built environment, people thrive. It is this concept that is at the heart of designing with fractals.

About the Speakers
Mark Page, Industy IIDA, Industry Partner ASID
Vice President of Design
Mohawk Group
Growing up in England amid stories of family weavers and technical craftsmen, Mark Page is the fourth generation to make his livelihood in carpet manufacturing, and knows the industry inside and out. His family’s involvement spans the full gamut, from design to manufacturing and dyeing, and even installation. Now as Mohawk Group’s Vice President of Design, he combines personal experience with generations of knowledge to ultimately create diverse and complex flooring that is not just driven by design but by the singular needs of Mohawk Group’s commercial clients.
Stressing the importance of listening to the market, Mark has led his team toward designing a multitude of award-winning products, across multiple market categories, helping drive & support Mohawk Group’s specialization within Sales segmentation.
Flooring should be recognized beyond commodity, according to Mark. He says creating fashion forward design, with meaningful stories, helps customers form an emotional attachment before any sale transation, adding additional value to their purchase & pride through ownership. He has dedicated himself to flooring design since 1987, when he started working as an associate in custom carpet design production. He is an active member of IIDA, ASID, NEWH, Color Marketing Group & an Associate Member of KSU (Kenneesaw State University) Ambassador Council.

Melissa Turnbaugh, AIA, NCARB
PBK
Melissa brings more than 16 years of specialized expertise in the planning, design, and management of educational faciilites for both public and private institutions. She is driven by a belief that all students shoudl have equitable accesss to innovative indoor and outdoor learning environments. WIth her role as the Firmwide PreK-12 Market Leader, Melissa serves as a resource and advocate for research-based, student-centered, and purpose-driven learning environments. In her career she has worked on a variety of projects ranging from the youngest learners in early childcare centers to advanced academics in career and techincal high schools all while building meaningful, long-term relationships with clients. Recently she has partnered with organziations such as The Nature Conservancy, Children & Nature Networks and Google to reimagine the educaitonal enviroment fo the future.
Melissa earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Rice Univesrity in Houston and is a registered Architect in the State of Texas. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Houston ACE Mentorship Program and was named Architect of the year for 2021 RED News Houston.

HXD Week: Porcelain for Interior & Exterior Applications
2025-08-21 08:00 - 09:00 | Thorntree, 7026 Old Katy Road, Suite 167, Houston, TX, 77024, United States
Porcelain for Interior & Exterior Applications
Tour of Thorntree’s remodeled showroom in the design center, accompanied by a continuing education presentation.
Continuing Education
1.0 HSW
1.0 IDCEC
About the Speaker

Elizabeth Longsta currently works as an A&D Rep for Thorntree for the last 6 years. Her previous experiences include additional sales roles and commercial interior designer. Elizabeth has been a registered interior designer for 10 years and works hard to provide education through her work and CEU to the design community.

Additional Information
Breakfast will be provided.
Parking
Free parking throughout the Design Center. View parking map HERE.

HXD Week: Philowilke Partnership Office Tour
2025-08-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Philowilke Partnership, 10350 Richmond Ave., Suite 400, Houston, TX, 77042, United States
Philowilke Partnership Office Tour
Philowilke designed its office and relocated to it last year. Located on level 4 of the Towers at Westchase, immersed with tree caps of nearby landscape and streetscape, the office design is intended to create an environment with natural lights, soothing finishes and colors; the office is tied together by a ‘serenity pathway’ highlighted by wood finishes. The office is where everyone can enjoy not only the convenience of urban contexts, but also an oasis of its own; a place where people can focus on business without feeling being in a corporate setting. The floor plan is an irregular octagon shape, with 230′ distance from two tips and 20′ at the narrowest point. Separations of team members are inevitable. To encourage the interactions, a ‘serenity pathway’ that meandering from one end of the office to the other end is designed with wood-finished ceiling and flooring materials. Open working areas and large conference room with glass partitions are placed strategically along the perimeters of the building, so natural lights and spectacular views are nonstop when one is moving in the office. Private offices and quiet, solo rooms are designed near the building core to provide staff choices to perform different tasks.

Parking Information
Free parking garage. See parking map HERE.

HXD Week: Wellness for All
2025-08-21 12:00 - 13:00 | CannonDesign, 3737 Buffalo Speedway #1200, Houston, TX, 77098, United States
Wellness for All
For many architects and designers, wellness design has been thought of as a remote escape where wealthy people go to become enlightened in body and mind. While this can be a good and beautiful thing, it neglects much of the population that could benefit from wellness the most. With the current trajectory of the global wellness real estate market growing exponentially year after year, now is the time for the architectural community to use their creative genius to ensure everyone can reap wellness benefits. Join Erin Nybo, a health and wellness expert at CannonDesign, to understand why wellness design is important and how it can be applied to almost any project regardless of market, size or budget. Folks who attend will learn to: 1. Recognize how wellness design can affect human health. 2. Translate principles of wellness to most design projects regardless of budget. 3. Evaluate the impact of the global wellness economy and why it matters to architects and designers. 4. Understand how wellness fits into different architectural markets and often combines markets.

About the Speaker

Erin Nybo’s passion for health and wellness has crafted her professional experience. She has a long history of 17+ years in the planning and design of healthcare facilities with a focus on wellness driven projects. These projects generally include multiple entities and stakeholders from various markets coming together with one goal – to proactively help people mentally and physically be the best they can be. Helping clients to define what health and wellness means for them, her work is highlighted by her extensive experience in programming and planning, creating conceptual designs, interpreting early design and integrating it into all phases of the design process. Erin is currently on the Kansas City Chamber’s Healthy KC Workplace Wellness Action Team and is the founding President of the Heartland Chapter of Women in Healthcare.

Parking Information
Validated parking in the parking garage.

HXD Week: Built to Inspire: 2910 McKinney
2025-08-21 16:00 - 18:00 | 2910 McKinney, 2910 McKinney St., Houston, TX, 77003, United States
Built to Inspire: 2910 McKinney
Step inside 2910 McKinney, a bold reinvention of a 1949 industrial warehouse in East Downtown Houston that now pulses with creative energy. Formerly home to the Peaslee-Gaulbert Paint Company, this 65,500-square-foot mixed-use hub blends art, fashion, food, design, and retail in a space that celebrates collaboration and culture. Join the design team for an immersive tour exploring how careful preservation and minimal interventions transformed a dormant building into a vibrant destination. Exposed brick, steel windows, and concrete beams frame an ever-evolving mix of tenants from florists and chefs to makers and curators who bring the space to life through shared experiences and cross-disciplinary energy. Learn how adaptive reuse strategies supported both sustainability and storytelling, turning environmental and regulatory constraints into design opportunities. This tour highlights how flexible planning, heritage conservation, and bold restraint come together to foster community and innovation in the heart of Houston.
Refreshments and light bites will be provided.
Parking information
Street parking, surface lot, and parking garage available in the vicinity of the building. Parking is not validated and not included with the purchase of your ticket.

HXD Week: Library of the Future
2025-08-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library, 11630 Chimney Rock Rd., Houston, TX, 77035, United States
Library of the Future — A tour Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library
An architecture tour of the completed Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library will offer real-world insights into how design can help libraries transform into hubs for cutting-edge technology and multi-disciplinary creativity. The tour will look at how embracing new media and diverse community needs inspires, uplifts, and answers the question of how to bridge traditional and innovative programs to foster collaboration. Once a forgotten post office site, the Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library is a vibrant, art-filled public gathering space with a café, flexible meeting areas, private study rooms, and a variety of seating. In addition to housing traditional book stacks and cozy reading areas for all ages, the library features innovative spaces for collaboration and interaction, including a maker lab, audio/visual and podcast recording spaces, and TECHLink services.

About the Speakers

Fernando Brave, FAIA, RID, LEED AP
Principal
BRAVE/architecture
As Founder and Principal of BRAVE/architecture, Fernando, a registered architect and LEED Accredited Professional, directs the firm and its work. His varied professional experience ranges from projects for individuals, community renovations, to large institutional projects for clients such as the YMCA of Greater Houston and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. He has also been a key player in large masterplanning and development projects both in the United States and abroad. As Principal-in-Charge and Lead Designer,Fernando has final review and oversight of all design.
Fernando has lectured on Green Architecture amongst other topics and contributed to multiple publications. His work has been featured in Architectural Record, Texas Architect, The Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, the Houston Architectural Guide, American School & University Magazine, and numerous other publications. Additionally, he has received many awards, including several private competitions, Honor Awardsfrom the Houston American Institute of Architects, Texas Society of Architects, American Society of Interior Designers, and the Houston Chronicle, among many others. As a team member, he also supported AIA National Award for Religious Architecture and the Associated General Contractors APEX Award-winning projects.
Prior to moving to Houston in 1987, Fernando completed a six-year undergraduate architecture program atthe Universidad de Belgrano in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he briefly taught design studio and architectural history. He then graduated from the University of Houston with a Master of Architecture in 1988. Fernando was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 2012 in recognitionof his advancement of the profession through his outstanding practice. Fernando has traveled extensively through Europe and the Americas. He also continues to be a part of numerous boards, including the City of Houston Planning Commission, the Rice Design Alliance, the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission, the AIA Houston, and the Houston Chamber Orchestra.

Peter Ho, AIA
Associate Principal
BRAVE/architecture
As an Associate Principal, Peter’s focus includes overseeing all phases of design and construction on projects ranging from civic facilities, commercial spaces, interior renovations, and masterplanning. Peter, a registered architect, has been a key player in the firm’s success for almost two decades as a major design team contributor and production studio leader. He enjoys the challenge of space programming and creating concept renderings. This technical proficiency in design software and graphic visualization allows Peter to leverage histalents in managing and producing quick conceptual models, presentation-quality renderings, and virtual reality immersion.
From concept to reality, some of Peter’s award-winning projects include the Dr. Shannon WalkerNeighborhood Library, Houston Zoo Headquarters, and ReCenter—all of which have collected numerous accolades. He graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2007 and continues to serve as a mentor for emerging design professionals. He even finds teaching opportunities within theintricacies of construction detailing, manufacturing, and installations. Most notably, Peter is an assertive listener, a skilled technical thinker, and an empathic problem-solver.

Parking information
Surface lot and street parking available.

HXD Week: Page Fabrication Tour
2025-08-22 11:30 - 13:00 | Page, 6501 Navigation Blvd., STE Y106, Houston, TX, 77092, United States
Page Fabrication Tour
Please join us for a casual tour and presentation of Page’s fabrication studio. Located in Houston’s East End Maker Hub, our 5,000-square-foot Fabrication Shop is part of a larger ecosystem of innovation and creativity. The East End Maker Hub is Houston’s premier center for manufacturing and fabrication, designed to support everything from manufacturer innovation and small-batch production to crafting and traditional fabrication. Co-located with TX/RX Labs, Houston’s largest manufacturing incubator, the East End Maker Hub offers an incredible resource network for all tenants. This includes access to over $2 million worth of state-of-the-art prototyping and fabrication equipment, on-site technical support, and an array of classes that expand skill sets and encourage collaboration.

About the Speakers
Matt Vaclavik
Director of Fabrication
Page
Matt brings an expert eye and a maker’s mindset to his leadership of the Page Fabrication Studio. With a deep foundation in woodworking, metalwork, and product design, sparked during his time at Texas Tech and refined through years of hands-on experience, he is passionate about pushing design through craft. His nine-year tenure at a classical architecture firm sharpened his skills in detailing, project delivery, and collaboration on standout projects like St. John’s School and Lott Hall. Matt’s enthusiasm for materials and tools fuels his drive to elevate design through purposeful iteration and shared discovery.

Alejandro Nunez
Lead Fabrication Designer
Page
Alejandro is an experienced designer with more than 10 years of custom fabrication experience. He is passionate about design and woodworking details and loves finding ways to bring complex ideas to life.

Jessica George
Fabrication Designer
Page
Jessica was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. She studied Architecture at TTU, where she worked in fabrication shops and discovered her passion for making and mentoring students. She values the process of making as a tool for communication and exploration. Jessica believes physical modeling and prototyping significantly inform and enhance design outcomes. Curiosity and iteration are central to her design process, guiding her toward thoughtful and impactful solutions.

Jose Varela
Fabrication Designer
Page
Originally from Chile, Jose comes from an international background, having lived in Latin America, Asia, and now the United States. He attended Tulane University, where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture. At Tulane, he explored interests in CNC digital fabrication, urban design, and visual communication. Guided by research and an iterative process, Jose brings his design passion to projects of all scales.

Refreshments and light bites will be provided.
Parking information
Surface lot
Page’s shop is located in the East End Maker Hub warehouse building with plenty of surface parking. Our space is located on the northern-most corner of the building, please see parking map HERE.

Wood Rot Repair Workshop
2025-08-23 - 2025-08-24 | Luckie School, 1004 Palmer Street, Houston, TX, 77003, United States
Wood Rot Repair Workshop – Windows, Doors & More
Presented by the AIA Houston Historic Resources Committee
In partnership with Luckie’s Pocket

Space is Limited to 16 participants

About the Workshop
Step inside a piece of Houston’s history for a hands-on, two-day Wood Rot Repair Workshop focused on repairing wood rot with traditional patching methods.
Hosted at the 1919 historic Luckie School, this workshop is a rare opportunity to gain preservation skills in an active rehabilitation setting. The Luckie School—currently being reimagined as Luckie’s Pocket, a future community arts space—serves as the perfect backdrop for exploring time-tested techniques in material conservation.
Led by experts from Preservan, attendees will work in small groups to learn and practice traditional wood repair methods essential for preserving historic structures. This immersive experience is ideal for architects, preservationists, craftspeople, students, and anyone with an interest in hands-on building conservation.
The workshop includes 2 full day’s of guided instruction and a closing site tour with Houston artist Gonzo247, who is helping lead the creative revitalization of the site.
Schedule
Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
What’s Included

Morning breakfast with pastries, fruit, and coffee
Hydration station: water, snacks, and sunscreen
All tools, materials, and safety instruction
Guided tour with Houston Artist Gonzo247
8.0 Total AIA HSW CEUs

Advanced registration required. Onsite registration is not available.
Cancellation Policy: A minimum of 7 days’ notice is required to receive a full refund

Click here for sponsorship opportunities
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!

ARE Study Group PPD/PDD
2025-08-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Identity Architects, 111 Travis St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Time: 6PM
Location: Identity Architects, 111 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002
Join us for the ARE Study Group session this year to build your momentum in studying for the ARE. Bring your questions, your notes, your laptops, and your favorite personal study materials to compare with colleagues!
We will focus on the PPD and PDD sections of the exam. Additionally, we will discuss study material and subscriptions that are on the market, answer attendee questions, and provide strategy for approaching and scheduling your exams.
This session will be held at Identity Architects. Light bites and drinks will be provided.
See you there soon!

Full Day Continuing Education
2025-08-26 08:30 - 15:00 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us for a Urbanism Continuum CE day!

8:30-9:00am Breakfast and Registration
9:00-10:15am
Healthier Streets for Houstonians <1.25 AIA HSW & 1.25 LA/CES HSW>
Presented by Donna Kacmar, FAIA
10:15-11:30am
Bird’s Eye View: Crafting Bird-Friendly Designs <1.25 AIA HSW & 1.25 LA/CES HSW>
Presented by Chloe Crumley, National Audubon Society
11:30-12:15pm
Break for Lunch
12:15-1:30pm
One Campus One Team, Transformation of the American Airlines Campus <1.25 AIA HSW & 1.25 LA/CES HSW>
Presented by Andrew Albers, AIA, OJB
1:30-3:00pm
Reclaiming Main Street: Designing a Lasting Legacy in the Public Realm < 1.50 AIA HSW & 1.50 LA/CES HSW>
Presented by Alex Ramirez, PLA & Sarah Smith, PLA, CDT, Design Workshop and Joey Sanchez, Blue Tile Project
Continuing Education Credits:

AIA = 5.25 HSW
LA/CES = 5.25 HSW

Individual classes are not available for the event.
Pre-registered pricing includes breakfast and lunch.
Parking is not included.
A minimum of 3 business days’ notice is required to receive a full refund if you need to cancel your reservation.
Online registration will close Thursday, August 21
Onsite registration is available for day of (breakfast and lunch is NOT included)

TertuLiAs
2025-08-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Gensler, 909 Fannin St UNIT 200, Houston, 77010, United States
Of 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.
Join the Latinos in Architecture (LiA) Committee for an intimate conversation engaging leadership from firms of different sizes on their efforts to increase that percentage, empower their Latino employees, develop and support a pipeline of future Latino architects from high schools and colleges, and giving a voice to Latinos.
This conversation will focus on managing principals of mid and large-sized firms, including Ruben Martinez (PGAL), Sandra Morrison, RA (Ziegler Cooper), Maria Perez, AIA (Gensler) and Cindy Villareal, AIA (O’Connell Robertson). These leaders will discuss managing a firm, their values on hiring practices and how they maintain a culturally diverse firm and staff.
Happy hour sponsored by Gensler.
Available parking options include the 2 Houston Center Garage and the 803 Fannin Garage; please check the parking garage website for rates. There is also metered street parking in the area.

About the Panelists
Ruben Martinez
Principal, PGAL
With over 30 years of experience in architecture and planning, Ruben has led projects ranging from Texas’s largest historic courthouse restoration to a net-zero facility. His ability to understand client needs, combined with a passion for design and attention to detail, sets him apart.
A graduate of the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Architecture, Ruben has dedicated more than 20 years of his career to PGAL, excelling at project management, design, and planning, helping guide prominent public projects in Greater Houston from concept to completion with a reputation for delivering excellence.
Sandra Morrison, RA, LEED AP
Associate Principal of Urban Residential, Ziegler Cooper
Sandra Morrison is a native of Colombia and holds a Master’s degree in Architecture combined with experience encompassing urban, residential, and commercial design. Cumulatively, she’s worked for Ziegler Cooper for just over a decade.
She has worked on design projects in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Dubai, and the U.S. and can speak native Spanish and fluent English. Versatility continues throughout Sandra’s work with her extensive research on new designs and advanced technical aspects.

Maria Perez, AIA
Climate Action & Sustainability Leader, Sustainability Director, Senior Associate, Gensler
Maria is a Climate Action & Sustainability Leader for Gensler’s South Central region and a Sustainability Director, based in Gensler’s Houston office. She serves as one of the firm’s leading sustainability ambassadors, promoting resilience, wellness, performance-based design, climate action, and our Gensler GC3 goals.
Maria is a LEED Fellow with multiple credentials, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, and Licensed Architect and Interior Designer. As an industry leader, promoting green building and sustainable living practices, Maria is currently serving as the chair of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Green Building Council Texas Chapter. She helps architects and designers focus on health and wellness and discover how they can design more energy-efficient buildings with lower building and operating costs.

Cindy Villarreal, AIA
Director of Houston Office, O’Connell Roberrtson
Cindy 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.
With 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.
Cindy 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.

AIA/ AGC Joint Committee September 2025 Lunch and Learn
2025-09-03 11:00 - 13:00 | AGC Houston, 3825 Dacoma Street, Houston, TX, 77092, United States
Architects & Contractors Roundtable: Bridging the Gap
Tired of RFIs that read like riddles? Wondering what’s behind the decisions on drawing revisions or submittal rejections? You’re not alone—and this is your chance to find real answers.
Join us for an engaging, high-impact roundtable designed to foster learning, professional growth, and deeper cross-disciplinary understanding between architects, contractors, and construction professionals.
This interactive event isn’t a lecture or a panel—it’s a dynamic forum for open dialogue, real-world problem-solving, and practical skill-building. You’ll gain firsthand insights into how your counterparts think, work, and make decisions—so you can anticipate issues, improve communication, and deliver more successful projects.
What You’ll Learn:

Best practices for managing drawing revisions and documentation
How to streamline submittals and substitution requests while minimizing scope creep
Clarifying roles, responsibilities, and expectations with RFIs
Strategies for more effective bidding and estimating collaboration

Seats are limited—register today and come ready to ask questions, share insights, and sharpen your skills.
Note: Please choose the correct registration link for your professional role so we can create balanced and effective roundtable groups.
Event schedule:

11:00 – 11:30 Registration, networking & lunch
11:30 – 1:00 Program

RSVP Here

Speed Mentoring
2025-09-03 17:30 - 19:30
Modeled after speed dating, speed mentoring focuses on a quick exchange of information in the form of small group discussions on goals and professional challenges. It’s an efficient way to rapidly build your professional network, and share successful ways to excel in the design profession. Who knows you might just find someone that is a good fit for an on-going mentor relationship!

Date: Wednesday, September 3
Location: Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce, Houston, TX
General Admission: $10, $5 for students (Advanced registration is required)

Schedule:

5:30pm Networking
6:00pm-7:30pm Speed Mentoring Sessions

Mentors:

Sheryl Kolasinski, FAIA, Non-Profit Cultural Leader & Artist
Clarissa Foster, Turner Construction Company
Amaya Labrador, AIA, human eXperience
Claudia Barreda, AIA, Laura U Design Collective
Jamila Jawdat, AIA, HKS
Nicole Hernandez-Barrios, AIA, Stantec
Linda Porras-Pirtle, AIA, Secretariat
Elizabeth Gilbert, PLA, Clark Condon
Arlis Brodie, Telios
Jody Sergi, AIA, Kirksey Architecture

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!

Iwan Baan: The Notational Surface
2025-09-03 18:00 - 20:00 | William T. Cannady Hall, Rice School of Architecture
Exhibitions at Rice — Houston Archive Project

Lecture: Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Opening Reception: 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Exhibition on View: September 3–October 25, 2025
Location: Exhibitions at Rice, William T. Cannady Hall, Rice School of Architecture
Admission: Free and open to the public
The Rice School of Architecture presents Iwan Baan: The Notational Surface, a new solo exhibition by the world-renowned Dutch photographer whose work has reshaped how we see cities and the lives they hold. Developed over the past five years for the school’s Houston Archive Project, the exhibition traces the city from the street to the sky, offering a layered reading of its infrastructures, interdependencies, and environmental precarity.
Installed across two floors of Cannady Hall, the exhibition shifts visitors’ vantage points—from expansive aerial surveys of oil landscapes, intermodal networks, and polycentric suburbs. Printed on industrial blue-back affiche paper and suspended at sharp angles, the photographs create a spatial montage that invites viewers to “read” Houston as an active surface of marks, flows, and forces.
A full-color catalog accompanies the exhibition, featuring a foreword by William Ward Watkin Dean Igor Marjanović, and an essay by architect and theorist Clare Lyster, whose interpretive framework lends the title The Notational Surface. Together, these texts situate Baan’s images within a broader discourse on representation, asking how seeing differently might enable more just and imaginative futures.
Launched in 2024, the Houston Archive Project is a curatorial platform for architectural thinking grounded in the specificity of place. By commissioning significant new bodies of work, the project continues a lineage at the school of photographic inquiry into Houston’s evolving urbanism—work that connects local conditions to planetary systems and publics.
This program is made possible through the generous support of the Betty R. and George F. Pierce Jr., FAIA, Fund; the William B. Coleman Jr. Colloquium Fund for Architecture; and the Wm. W. Caudill Lecture Series Fund.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Exhibitions at Rice
As a curatorial program of the Rice School of Architecture, Exhibitions at Rice uses the lens of design research to look at the world differently. Mobilizing a full spectrum of architectural representation—including drawing, imaging, making, and prototyping—this program weaves together scholarly inquiry, visual experimentation, and public engagement. Across all scales, from objects to buildings, cities, and the planet, Exhibitions at Rice engages the discipline of architecture as a cultural practice with a civic mandate, creating new discourses for both local and global audiences.

Sandcastle T-Shirt Distribution Event
2025-09-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Debner, 6930 Portwest Drive, Houston, TX, 77024, United States
Registered Sandcastle teams and sponsors are invited to the T-shirt Distribution Party on Thursday, September 4. At least one representative from each team must attend to pick up team signs, t-shirts, wristbands and team packets. Important instructions will be given, including beach condition updates and other information.
Sandcastle T-Shirt Distribution Event sponsored by

Sally Walsh Lecture Series - Lee F. Mindel, FAIA
2025-09-04 18:30 - 20:00 | Brown Auditorium at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX, 77005, United States
Architect Lee F. Mindel FAIA, Principal and Co-Founder of SheltonMindel presents a lecture on “Integration of Architecture and Interior Design”.
SheltonMindel is one of the top American interpreters of classic modernism in the industry today. Guided by principles of light, nature and simplicity, SheltonMindel’s renowned designs and creations focus on simple construction, organic shapes and unity of materials. From stand-alone residences to corporate interiors and furniture and product design, the firm’s work illustrates the modern tenet that, as Mies van der Rohe stated, “The space within becomes the reality of the building”.

About the Speaker

New York-based architect Lee F. Mindel, FAIA, and founding member of SheltonMindel is regarded as one of the top American interpreters of classic modernism in the industry today with over 60 industry awards. Guided by principles of light, nature and simplicity, the firm’s designs transcend form and function to become works of art. In 2011, Mindel was awarded the prestigious Cooper Hewitt National Design Award by First Lady Michelle Obama in the White House, and in 2021, was one of the few professionals inducted into the AD100 Hall of Fame for contributions in both categories: Architecture and Interior Design. Mindel regularly appears as a Design Titan on Elle Decor’s A-List, and in 2024, was featured in Galerie Magazine’s roundup of Creative Minds for his art and design space, Galerie56.
Galerie56 was founded in 2022, occupying the ground floor of Herzog de Meuron’s much lauded 56 Leonard tower. The AIA award-winning space, designed by SheltonMindel, celebrates the intersection of art, architecture, and design with a diverse series of exhibitions featuring international artists, galleries, and movements. Galerie56 reflects the deep American ethos of inclusion and diversity.
Mindel has served on various AIA committees for 4 years, and has been a juror of AIA Awards in the Architecture and Interior categories for 3 years.
Mindel received his Master of Architecture from Harvard University in 1976 after obtaining his Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, with Distinction in Architecture, at the University of Pennsylvania.

Sally Walsh Lectures are supported by an endowed fund of the Houston Architecture Foundation.
The lectures are dedicated to the memory of one of Houston’s most distinguished interior designers, Sally Walsh, who brought modern design to Houston and became an inspiration to a whole generation of Houston architects and designers.
All Sally Walsh lectures are free and open to the public.

Lecture and Book Signing with Megan Kimble, author of City Limits
2025-09-10 06:00 - 20:00 | MATCH, 3400 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
6pm – Networking & Book Signing
7pm – Lecture
MATCH, 3400 Main Street, Houston, TX
“In City Limits, journalist Megan Kimble weaves together the origins of urban highways with the stories of ordinary people impacted by our failed transportation system.”
Join Houston Design Collaborative to explore Ms. Kimble’s work through her unique perspective. Learn more about the book and author here.
RSVP here.

Latinos in Architecture: MaS
2025-09-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
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 10, 2025, and conclude in May 2026.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITYfor the mentorship:

Students have the option of only particpating in the mentorship program and not pursue the scholarship. But, students are welcome to participate in any of the events related to MaS.
Student pursuing a degree in architecture at the University of Houston, Rice University, or Prairie View A&M University.
The program is open to both US citizens and foreign students.

for the scholarship:

Students with at least one more academic year to apply scholarship funds directly to tuition.
Students with full scholarships are not eligible.

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTSThe 2025-2026 program starts in September 2025 and ends in May 2026.

Regularly check in with an assigned mentor (at least 4 times). These meetings can be in-person, virtual, or via phone call.
​Participate in the kick-off event where they will meet the mentors. Kick-off will take place September 10 at 7pm. Register here.
Participate in the portfolio review organized by the LiA Committee.
Attend three LiA, AIAH, TSA or HNOMA sponsored events. Not including student chapters or student-led events.
Attend their university or college career fair.
Submit a PDF on a project or portfolio at the end of the Fall semester.
Submit 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.

AWARDS
Students 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. Scholarships will be awarded based on student participation in the program and their end-of-semester submission, which will be reviewed by a jury.

Galveston Sandcastle Festival
2025-09-13 10:00 - 2025-09-14 21:00
The Galveston Sandcastle Festival is a music, food and family festival hosted on East Beach in Galveston, TX, centered around the AIA Houston Sandcastle Competition (presented by 811 Call or Click Before You Dig).
General Admission:
Saturday: $15
Sunday: $10
Parking: $15 (not included with the purchase of your wristband(s)).
Purchase General Admission Wristbands HERE!
For Team and Sponsor information, click HERE.

Lunch & Learn: Accessibility and the Mega Events
2025-09-23 11:30 - 13:00 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Accessibility and the Mega Events
About this Course
Architecture plays a pivotal role in the success of mega events, as it shapes the physical environments. One of the key elements in the planning of mega events is accessibility. We will be talking specifically about accessibility and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We will also touch on the World Cup coming to Houston 2026. Accessibility when done properly allows a smooth operation and promotes the inclusion of all stakeholders responding to the principles of both sports events. The objective of this presentation is to have look at accessibility at scale of stadiums when transformed for the mega events.

About the speaker:

Ileana Rodriguez, PLY, Principal Owner at I Design Access, LLC
Principal at I Design Access, LLC and international architectural designer consultant for major infrastructure projects with a focus on inclusive design. My experience comes from working for clients such as the International Paralympic Committee, national sports organizations and a variarety of architecture firms. I have been involved as a consultant to oversee different size of projects from Olympic/Paralympic Stadiums and airports to smaller sports facilities, hotels and temporary infrastructure. The projects have taken place in Europe, Asia and The Americas in a dozen of different countries. Ileana is a Paralympic swimmer and former member of the USA Team for the London 2012 Games.
Continuing Education Credit:

AIA = 1.0 HSW (Barrier Free)

Schedule:

11:30am Check-in and lunch
12:00-1:00pm Presentation

Pre-registered pricing includes box lunch.
Parking is not included.
A minimum of 3 business days’ notice is required to receive a full refund if you need to cancel your reservation.
Online registration will close Wednesday, September 17
Onsite registration is available for day of (lunch is NOT included)

Designed with Taste: Camaraderie
2025-09-23 17:00 - 19:00 | Camaraderie, 608 W 11th St, Houston, TX, 77008
“Shawn cooked for us before we started designing, and it was clear from that moment on that he wanted to create a space to serve exquisitely conceived and executed dishes, but generously and in an environment that felt unpretentious,” Troy Schaum said.
The design for the chef-owned restaurant Camaraderie converts an existing, former residential garage and wood shop into an elevated family-style restaurant. Schaum Architects strove to retain as much of the existing building as possible, reusing almost all of the existing structure, concrete slab, and exterior metal wall panels. Set in The Heights, the 75-seat restaurant is situated within a 1990s corrugated metal building, updated with grey and blue paint. The interior is wrapped in birch wall panels and built-in banquette seating, which warms the space, giving the feeling of dining in a friend’s home.
The kitchen, at the heart of the project, opens like a stage onto the dining room, where guests have an uninterrupted view of chef Shawn Gawle at work. Chef Gawle’s menu has a contemporary American cuisine rooted in French techniques. Most recently, Gawle served as executive pastry chef at Houston’s Goodnight Hospitality and was recently named Best New Pastry Chef by Food & Wine magazine and Rising Star Chef by StarChefs.
Join us for a tour of Camaraderie and a sampling of fare with Troy Schaum of Schaum Architects and Chef Shawn Gawle of Camaraderie.
Camaraderie received an AIA 2025 Design Award for Interior Architecture.
Designed with Taste, an event series from Architecture Center Houston explores Houston’s newest restaurants to examine how design affects the dining experience. Hear about the design inspiration for the spaces, and how it interacts with the culinary offerings. Is the food influenced by the design, or is it the other way around? Enjoy lite bites and cocktails and decide for yourself.

Image courtesy of Leonid Furmansky.

Women in Architecture’s Professional Development Fund Q&A
2025-09-23 17:30 - 18:30 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81484506061?pwd=[REDACTED]
Join us for a virtual Q&A session about Women in Architecture’s Professional Development Fund application process. We’ll cover the ins and outs of applications for the Licensure Scholarship and Professional Development Grant, then open the floor to questions.
Click here to access the applications.

Zoom login link:
AIA Houston is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: WiA Professional Development Q&A Event
Time: Sep 23, 2025 05:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
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ArCH Walking Tour Docent Training
2025-09-27 09:00 - 11:00 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Do you enjoy Houston architecture and history? Eager to share that knowledge with others?
Join us at Architecture Center Houston for our free walking tour docent training.
Docent training classes will be held on Saturday, September 20, 27, and October 11. Each class includes public speaking training and tours. The classes will be led by our staff and experienced tour docents and are open to all. This is a great opportunity to learn about Houston architecture and history while also brushing up on your presentation skills.
After completing the classes, docents will work with an experienced docent to begin leading our walking and bicycle tours. After the initial 3-day commitment for training, we ask docents to volunteer for 3 – 6 tours each season (October – May).
Our tours are attended by visitors of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world and locals living throughout the greater Houston area. This is a fun way to meet a wide variety of people interested in the built environment and all things Houston.

COLORES
2025-10-01 18:00 - 20:30 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
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.
Please 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.

Wednesday, October 1, 6pm
On 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.
Nadia 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.
Nadia 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.

I 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.
Tony Diaz
Tony 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.
Tony 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.
Lite bites provided by Avila Experiences.
Architecture Center Houston
902 Commerce St
Houston, TX 77002

About Nadia Palacios Lauterbach, AIA
Nadia 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.
Nadia 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.
Nadia 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.
About Tony Diaz
Writer 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.

Latinos in Architecture COLORES Sponsors
Information about becoming a sponsor can be found here.
Platinum Sponsor
HOK
LESCO Architectural Lighting
Page
TATEMÓ
Gold Sponsors
Allegion
cre8 Architects
Gage Architecture
Kirksey Architecture
Silver Sponsors
C.A. Walking Construction
Durotech
GSMA
MACO Construction
Martinez Architects
MATRIX Structural
MWA Architects
Perkins&Will
Powers Brown Architecture
RDLR Architects
Bronze Sponsors
Bass Construction
Daltile
DBR Engineering
DOOR Engineering
IMEG
Raba Kistner
Tarkett

COLORES
2025-10-02 17:30 - 22:00 | Kirksey Architecture, 6909 Portwest Dr, Houston, 77024, United States
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.
Please 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.

Thursday, October 2, 5:30pm
An 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.
DUST, 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.
Born 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.
Kirksey Architecture
6909 Portwest Dr
Houston, TX 77024
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE DOOR FOR THURSDAY.
Tickets for Friday’s tour can be purchased here.

About DUST
DUST is a collective of creative souls firmly grounded in the tactile, in pursuit of the intangible.
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
About Chef Emmanuel Cheavez
Chef 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.
After 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.
Starting 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.
Chavez 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.

Latinos in Architecture COLORES Sponsors
Information about becoming a sponsor can be found here.
Platinum Sponsor
HOK
LESCO Architectural Lighting
Page
TATEMÓ
Gold Sponsors
Allegion
cre8 Architects
Gage Architecture
Kirksey Architecture
Silver Sponsors
C.A. Walking Construction
Durotech
GSMA
MACO Construction
Martinez Architects
MATRIX Structural
MWA Architects
Perkins&Will
Powers Brown Architecture
RDLR Architects
Bronze Sponsors
Bass Construction
Daltile
DBR Engineering
DOOR Engineering
IMEG
Raba Kistner
Tarkett

COLORES
2025-10-03 16:00 - 17:30 | Turkey Bend
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.
Please 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.

Friday, October 3, 4pm
A 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/.
The 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.
Materials 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.
The event has been approved for 1 LU

About Turkey Bend (Part of Buffalo Bayou East Master Plan)
Turkey 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.

The 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.
The site’s historic wharf will be transformed into an inviting waterfront park for gathering, performances, and events.
Due 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.
Navigation Boulevard will be realigned to allow for safe pedestrian and bicycle connections.

Latinos in Architecture COLORES Sponsors
Information about becoming a sponsor can be found here.
Platinum Sponsor
HOK
LESCO Architectural Lighting
Page
TATEMÓ
Gold Sponsors
Allegion
cre8 Architects
Gage Architecture
Kirksey Architecture
Silver Sponsors
C.A. Walking Construction
Durotech
GSMA
MACO Construction
Martinez Architects
MATRIX Structural
MWA Architects
Perkins&Will
Powers Brown Architecture
RDLR Architects
Bronze Sponsors
Bass Construction
Daltile
DBR Engineering
DOOR Engineering
IMEG
Raba Kistner
Tarkett
