UH Graduate College of Social Work
Location: Houston, Tx
Size: 7,810 sq ft.
RDLR STORY
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
2022 Award of Merit from ENR Texas & Louisiana
2021 ICE Award, Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston (ABC) Excellence in Construction Awards (EIC).
Graduate College of Social Work: The Epicenter of Conversations
Established in 1927, the University of Houston empowers students in their pursuit of learning, discovery, leadership, and engagement. Home to award-winning faculty and innovative research centers, the university has one of the most diverse student populations in the nation and alumni who have become international leaders.
The Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW) at the University of Houston, prepares diverse leaders in practice and research to address complex challenges and achieve sustainable social, racial, economic, and political justice, locally and globally, through exceptional education, innovative research, and meaningful community engagement.
Originally built in 1978, the GCSW building lacked adequate common space and emerging technology. Its outdated classrooms did not support the innovative research projects happening at the college. Over the past five years, the GCSW has grown from approximately 350 students in the Master of Social Work program to more than 500 today. Despite these challenges, the college continues to thrive, now ranked among the top 25 social work graduate programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report.
The GCSW is an epicenter of conversations reimagining social, racial, economic, and political justice, both locally and globally.
Due to the growing program, a new outdoor gathering space, terraced main entrance, lobby and entry pavilion were created to enhance the college’s visibility on campus. The new entry brightens up the current façade and welcomes people from all walks of life to have a place at the table.
The recent building improvement project included In addition, building improvements also included renovation of the entire first floor of the four-story GCSW building, creating much needed recirculation and modern learning environments that encourage collaboration between researchers, students and community partners. The project was funded in part by donations from the Mehta Family Foundation, Houston Endowment, Hamill Foundation, Frees Foundation and Creuzot family.
Located in a four-story building on the south end of a larger courtyard on the University of Houston campus, the college resides in the Central District of the campus, as identified in the UH Campus Master Plan Phase 1 (2015-2020). The building has a prominent place on the southern edge of the campus’ largest urban forests and is centered along an implied axis of a large green space.
The main feature of the renovated building is the grand entrance of the new Mehta Family Community Pavilion, which features an open and welcoming design that adds a modern style and character to the previously nondescript exterior. The space, dedicated to the work done by the faculty and students, celebrates the continuous impact graduates of the program have made in Texas and beyond.
Enclosed with glass on three sides, the new glass enclosed entry reflects the ideals of transparency for which college alumni advocate. Columns on each side of the pavilion branch out like a tree–the most basic of shelters–evoking a sense of nurture, care, and peace. A centralized large wood table within the pavilion invites collaboration from everyone who enters to join the conversation, share their experience, and learn from another.
Visitors soon encounter the large colorful mural facing the building’s former primary entrance. Designed by renowned artist Reginald C. Adams, the theme of the new mural is “Pulling Together” and the artwork depicts people pulling on chains connected to a door. The door is meant to symbolize new doors of possibility and the chains represent the struggles that we all face in life. Broken glass mirrors are meant to reflect the viewer, showing that although we are imperfect, we can all have equal opportunities once that door opens.
The faces featured within the mural are based on the likenesses of actual students, faculty, and alumni of the college. The mural has become its own character in the story of the Graduate College of Social Work, serving as part greeter, historian, storyteller, facilitator of belonging, and a reminder of our mission and the important work to be done together.
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
800 Sampson Street #104 Houston, Texas 77003 | tel 713.868.3121 | www.rdlr.com
