SHW
GROUP WINS THE 2008 RICE DESIGN ALLIANCE CHARRETTE COMPETITION
HOUSTON, October 1, 20080–
SHW Group, one of the largest educational architecture firms in the
U.S., recently won the Rice Design Alliance 2008 Design Charrette
thanks to the talented teamwork of the company’s Houston office.
SHW’s Houston studio and nine other architecture and landscape firms
were challenged to “Stir things up along the Buffalo Bayou” by
designing activities and physical solutions to encourage the local
community to utilize the 53-mile waterway in Houston. The
competition focuses each year on a particular design challenge. This
year’s charrette was held in early August by the Buffalo Bayou
Partnership and the Rice Design Alliance at the School of
Architecture at Rice University.
The designs were viewed by the jury, comprised of Bob Eury,
President of Central Houston, Inc.; Alan Krathaus, Principal of Core
Design Studio; Kevin Shanley, President and CEO of SWA Group; and
Lorie Westrick, Board Member of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership and
Principal with Rey de la Reza Architects to determine a winning
design. In addition to SHW Group being awarded the prize for Best in
Show, two Honorable Mentions were given. One went to the team from
TBG Partners and the other to a team from Asakura Robinson and Rey
de la Reza Architects.
“This competition was an excellent opportunity to contribute to our
local community by offering significant and lasting design solutions
for improving life along the bayou corridor,” states Gary Blanton,
managing principal for SHW Group Houston. “The waterfront
destination is a vibrant, sustainable resource for all of Houston
and we are proud to support the Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s efforts
to develop and facilitate improvements to the Buffalo greenway
system.”
About
SHW Group
SHW
Group is one of the world’s largest educational architecture and
design firms, as ranked in the BD World Architecture’s 2008 The
Big List. More than just an architecture firm, the company is
known for its comprehensive collaboration with educators, cognitive
researchers and strategic planners to design innovative facilities
that support the learning process. Founded in 1945, SHW Group has
grown to nearly 400 employees and seven studios nationwide. For more
information, please visit
www.shwgroup.com.
About
The Rice Design Alliance
The
Rice Design Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the
advancement of architecture, urban design, and the built environment
in the Houston region through educational programs, the publication
of Cite: The Architecture + Design Review of Houston, and active
programs to initiate physical improvements. Membership is open to
the general public. For more information, please visit
http://rda.rice.edu.
About
The Buffalo Bayou Partnership
The
Buffalo Bayou Partnership is a non-profit organization that oversees
Buffalo Bayou improvements. The Partnership coordinates the
integration of major amenities into the Bayou greenbelt and seeks
ways to increase community involvement through pedestrian, boating
and biking amenities, permanent and temporary art installations, and
other natural and built attractions. For more information, please
visit
www.buffalobayou.org.
