Skip to content

Joe Rivers

Art and Design

In this episode, our resident architect Kevin Barden visits with our other resident architect Joe Rivers from Houston, Texas. Joe Rivers is principal architect at Rivers Barden Architects. Kevin sat down with Joe to discuss his influences in architecture, his interests outside of architecture, and the life lessons he’s learned along the way.

Explore

Timbergrove Renovation

In Houston’s Timbergrove neighborhood, this renovation transforms a traditional layout into an open, light-filled home designed for entertaining. Walls between kitchen, living, and dining areas were removed to create seamless flow, with custom millwork adding warmth, storage, and subtle definition to each space.

Erick Calderon

Art and Design

In this episode our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Erick Calderon, a business owner, entrepreneur, artist, and maker from Houston, Texas. Erick Calderon is the owner of La Nova Tile, a company he started over a decade ago, after graduating from UT Austin with a degree in international business. But it wasn't until a more recently that he started experimenting with artistic sculpture and color gradations. Joe and Kevin visit with Erick about the start of his tile company, the forging of his artistic identity, and how his art feeds back into the business.

From Holiday Card to LEGO Set

Writing

Last November, Kevin and I sat down for our annual holiday card charette, a tradition we’ve kept since founding the firm.  It’s something we always look forward to: an opportunity to create something memorable and share it with our friends, clients, and community.  This year, one idea jumped out and stuck: *Lego*. Through the process of building making the holiday card, the project evolved into a custom box Lego set with an instruction booklet for the client.