RDLR Story: SER Jobs for Progress

RDLR STORY SER Jobs for Progress

Location: Houston, Tx

Size: 22,500 sq ft.

Who We Are

Founded in 1982, Rey de la Reza Architects, Inc. (RDLR) is recognized throughout Texas as a community-driven architectural firm providing design excellence and outstanding project management services in the Houston area.

With a 40-year history, the firm has been involved in the design of a variety of transit, commercial, educational, urban design, residential, and renovation projects and continues to provide exceptional service to public entities including: City of Houston, Fort Bend County, Houston Airport System, METRO, HCTRA, The Harris Center, numerous ISD’s, GSA, USPS and TxDOT. Our firm is certified MWBE and Texas HUB.

40+ Awards

AIA Houston Firm of the Year

Texas Society of Architects Firm Award

SER Jobs for Progress: Repurpose with

Purpose

During these uncertain times, marketable skills and job security are of dire importance. To meet the growing need for job training services, SER purchased a 2.4-acre property in Houston’s vibrant East End. The mission of this project was to uplift the community by providing job training, education opportunities, and a welcoming new facility where a decaying building once stood.

2021 ULI Development of Distinction Award

The 22,500 SF building was fully renovated and occupied in late 2017, just after Hurricane Harvey. RDLR Architects provided full building and site assessments prior to purchase, and full A/E services for the renovation once the decision to utilize the existing structure was made.

The location of the project has made a large and positive impact through job stability for residents and the community in turn. With its opening shortly after Hurricane Harvey, the project’s importance was magnified with an uptick in demand for workers in the construction industry.

Since it’s opening in 2018, the Workforce Opportunity Center has served almost 20,000 individuals in the community through various services.

The original 1950’s concrete building located at 1710 Telephone Road was the previous headquarters for Tellepsen Builders, who also designed and built the facility. Although the integrity of the structure remained, the rest of the building was in poor condition with moisture issues, asbestos, and general disrepair.

Now transformed, the facility welcomes users with a bright and inviting entry, reconfigured to allow direct and covered access from the public sidewalk and parking lot. The exterior envelope remained, and was restored and reconfigured to let additional light into the space. The existing structure of the building was exposed throughout the interior.

The columns of the existing exterior canopy were replaced with custom manufactured structural support elements designed to mimic the SER branding elements. The heightened blue entry canopy extends into the building lobby where clerestory windows deliver daylight to enliven the open space. A vivid blue entry cues visitors towards the entrance and into the lobby.

Sustainable decisions were made to promote environmental health such as the decision to renovate the original building. Although the project incurred a greater cost to renovate, the choice to transform a dilapidated and decaying building was deliberate, bringing a sign of prosperity to the community.

The existing concrete and steel structure that was preserved throughout, and was exposed to honor the history of the existing facility. The existing building foundation serves as polished concrete flooring. ReCoop Designs, a Houston-based design/build artisan workshop focused on sustainability, creating custom furniture and millwork utilizing reclaimed wood used throughout the space. Efficient LED light fixtures were used throughout the facility.

The most unique function of the program is Houston’s first Career Café. La Chamba Coffee & Careers (a partnership with Katz Coffee) provides healthy foods and beverages along with resources for both SER members and guests to conduct self-directed job searches. SER trainees run the cafe while learning a variety of skills, including customer service, cash handling and barista skills. Open to the public, each purchase made at the café is an investment in the education of young adults from developing communities.

Off the lobby, a former concrete vault is now home to the donor wall which acknowledges the many benefactors that have had direct impact on the thousands of clients that SERJobs serves annually. The Donor Wall utilizes backlit reclaimed wood panels with metal plaques.

Past the donor wall, The Angel Gallery is a canvas for artists in the local community to display their creations and serves as a tribute to the countless angels who initiated, influenced and invested in SER’s vision.

The mission of SER Jobs is to uplift the community through workforce opportunity, including the elimination of barriers. SER, the Spanish verb meaning ‘to be’, empowers its members by providing resources in the areas of education, occupational skill training, employment coaching and financial literacy. The vibrant color pallet and artwork celebrates Hispanic heritage and serves to reinforce the SER mission. Offices on the second floor continue the Hispanic theme through color and artwork.

Firm Leadership

RDLR Architects firm Principals: Jennifer DaRos, LEED AP, Howard Merrill, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Lorie Westrick, AIA, LEED AP and Daniel Ortiz, AIA, LEED AP

Firm Awards

Throughout its existence, Architects has received numerous awards from our peers as well as our user groups and clients. The list that follows reflects a portion of the many accomplishments of this firm.

2022 Award of Merit from ENR Texas & Louisiana

UH Graduate College of Social Work

2021 ICE Award, Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston (ABC) Excellence in Construction Awards (EIC)

UH Graduate College of Social Work

2021 ULI Development of Distinction Award

SERJobs for Progress

2020 AIA Houston Design Award

HPD Southwest Substation

2020 TPWA Project of the Year Award

Fort Bend County Public Transportation Facility

2017 ULI Development of Distiction Award Finalist

Carnegie Vanguard High School

2014 The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)

Silver Award TransportationWellborn Road Grade Separations project.

2014 New Construction Community Improvement Award

Houston Museum District Business Alliance

Carnegie Vanguard High School

2013 AIA Colorado Award of Citation

HPD South Gessner Police Station

2013 AIA Denver Award of Merit

HPD South Gessner Police Station

2013 K-12 Best Project Award ENR TX

Carnegie Vanguard High School

2013 Urban Land Institute Development of Distinction Award

Houston Food Bank

2013 AIA Public Architecture Social Impact Merit Award

Houston Food Bank

2012 Urban Land Institute Distinguished Development

Houston Food Bank

2012 Texas Society of Architects Design Award

Houston Food Bank

2012 Contract Inspiration Award

Houston Food Bank

2012 AIA Houston Design Award

Houston Food Bank

2011 Texas Society of Architects Design Award

Sam Houston Tollway NE Main Plaza

2009 Texas Construction/McGraw Hill Best of 2009 Awards

Excellence Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

2009 Greater Houston Preservation Alliance Good Award-Reagan High School

2008 U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator’s Award for Excellence

2005 Texas Society of Architects FIRM AWARD

2005 AIA Houston FIRM OF THE YEAR

2004 AIA Houston Design Award - Architectural Merit METRO Texas Medical Center Transit Facility

2003 Texas Downtown Association - 2003 Awards WINNERS Public Improvement Big City - Cotswold Project Phase I, Houston

2003 Texas Construction/ Mc Graw Hill Best of 2003 Infrastructure George Bush Intercontinental Airport Terminal A/B Parking Garage

2003 Texas Construction/ McGraw Hill Best of 2003Awards of Excellence US 59 Houston Gateway

2003 National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) Prize Bridge Award - US 59 Houston Gateway

2002 Golden Trowel Awards - Honor In Stone Sheltering Arms Senior Services Center

2001 American Consulting Engineers Council Engineering Excellence Award - Cotswold

2000 Community Award - Museum District Business Alliance - Bridges on US59

2000 AIA Houston Design Award - Architecture Honor Design Award - Cotswold

1999 American Planning Association

Highest Honor Award - Cotswold

1999 American Planning Association - Highest Honor AwardUniversity of Houston Campus Development Plan

1999 American Planning Association - Highest Honor AwardGreen Ribbon Project

1997 NAHRO Award of Excellence - Cuney Homes

1997 NAHRO Award of Excellence - TSU/HISD Lab School

1995 Hall of Fame - University of Houston Architecture Alumni

Outstanding Contributions to Architecture