featured project Houston Food Bank Location: Houston, Tx Size: 308,000 sq ft.
AIA Houston 2012 Design Excellence Award Texas Society of Architects Design Excellence Award 2012 Contract Magazine Inspiration Award, 2012
Food Banks are built with a mission. They occupy a unique intersection; part distribution center, part office space, volunteer center and community center. Food Banks must be efficient, both in their distribution systems and with their structures; they must be responsible – effective stewards of the gifts and resources they are given; and lastly, Food Banks must be human, they must invite and support volunteer worker, and affirm the dignity of everyone who comes in need. While food banks aren’t traditionally thought of as difficult structures to design, it is easy to get lost in the mechanical simplicity of a distribution center and lose sight of the ultimate mission. Food Bank’s aren’t just non-profit food warehouses; they are beacons of hope throughout the community and improve quality of life for all.
The original warehouse structure is exposed throughout the interiors reflecting the HFB’s value of transparency and honesty. Original concrete floors are lightly polished to clean but still expose wear. Industrial light fixtures create patterns of light against the exposed steel structure wherever possible in the building. Where building additions have occurred, the original exterior concrete panels are uncovered to provide visual texture and reference the buildings history.
Interior glazing was added throughout the building to emphasize team and to showcase the HFB’s purpose. Reinforcing the notion of transparency, translucent panels clad recycled steel structure to form room dividers, signage supports and workstations. Color, super graphics, and music throughout volunteer areas were used as tools to enliven environments, energize the spirit and create a sense of HOPE.
In keeping with the HFB’s philosophy of transparency, positive team work and good stewardship, designers developed a unifying theme of the project-“Creating HOPE”. Through team work, efficiency and good stewardship HOPE is created. Matching HFB’s logo, a cheerful patchwork green façade beckons the community. Multi-purpose screens function as solar shades, equipment surrounds and signage frames. A food generating garden, with benches fabricated from beams salvaged on site, welcomes visitors.
1245 West 18th Street, Houston, Texas 77008 | tel 713.868.3121 | fax 713.802.0112 | www.rdlr.com