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Located near Memorial Park, this project is a complete renovation of a townhome. Providing a sense of calmness, an abundance of daylight, and a living canvas for plants and collection of objects is the foundation for the creative energy of this project. In working with the existing structure of the townhome, walls and columns have been removed to allow for an openness that reflects the identity of the client. The multiple skylights throughout the double-height main living space give an immediate connection to time and space for anyone who inhabits the residence, in many ways acting as an internal sundial in the midst of our client’s lifestyle centered around yoga, tea, and travels.

Location

Houston, Texas

Design Team

Kevin Barden, Rafia Imran and Joe Rivers

Renderings

Rivers Barden Architects

Typology

Residential

Date

2022-Present

Structural Engineer

Santee Engineering

General Contractor

Pletcher Construction

Process

Explore

Geodesic Dome Renovation

This renovation of a geodesic dome home includes a new primary suite and bedroom with a view of the forest; a new kitchen with lines of sight and sound to the living and dining areas; as well as new finishes throughout. The home was originally designed and built at the height of the energy crisis in the early 1980s. At the time, the homeowners wanted a “cabin in the woods” close to the city as well as a forward-thinking home that clearly took a position on energy conservation.

Mike Garman

Art and Design

In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Mike Garman, a furniture designer and maker from Houston, Texas. Mike has been designing and building furniture in the Houston area for nearly a decade. Joe and Kevin sat down with Mike to discuss his path to designing furniture, his use of tools, and his unique process to design.

The Architectural Vernacular of Houston

Writing

As the architectural historian Paul Oliver aptly puts it, “All forms of vernacular architecture are built to meet specific needs, accommodating the values, economies, and ways of life of the cultures that produce them.” In this article, we will explore the various dimensions of architectural vernacular and why it is essential for crafting designs that resonate with the heart and soul of Houston and the Gulf Coast.