The Houston Business Journal's Landmark Awards recognize real estate projects that make a significant impact on Houston. The panel of judges selected Agape Development project as one of the finalists in the Rehabilitation/Renovation category.
Agape Development Community Center Completion
Entrance with canopy, photo credit Mark Scheyer
Transcend Architecture is excited to announce the completion of the Agape Development Community Center, a much-needed place where children can learn, adults can expand their skills, and the community can meet to share ideas and resources. Agape Development Ministries is a non-profit organization working to redevelop its neighborhood and prepare community leaders and rebuild this portion of the Greater Third Ward neighborhood into a thriving community, one person at a time.
Street view with mural, photo credit Mark Scheyer
In addition to renovating the existing liquor store building, the scope of work included the construction of an outdoor pavilion to provide flexible additional space for programs and events. The community center includes two training rooms, a computer workroom, individual and collaborative offices, meeting rooms, and a commercial kitchen. Exterior materials are a combination of storefront windows/doors, corrugated metal panels, stucco, and existing CMU. The condition of the existing building has been challenging and the entire project team worked hard to successfully create an inviting and durable space that met the Owner’s budget.
The project was undertaken with pro-bono services from nearly a dozen different consultants in mechanical, kitchen, plumbing, lighting, audio/visual, data, structural, electrical, and landscaping disciplines. Forney Construction served as the general contractor.
San Mateo Episcopal Church recovery from Hurricane Harvey
Ever since hurricane Harvey damaged 4 of their 5 buildings, the small parish of San Mateo Episcopal Church continued their services in an open-air tent. That following October, they approached Transcend Architecture to assist them in documenting the condition of the existing conditions, guide them through the building codes and local ordinances, and provide design ideas for specific spaces in an effort to make the church more functional.
A familiar scene for much of Houston building after hurricane Harvey.
Transcend architects and volunteer staff working on their plan to help San Mateo Episcopal Church get back into dry & safe buildings.
Snapshots of construction documents to acquire building permits.
August 2018 with permits in hand San Mateo Episcopal Church can begin their renovations.
Stay tuned for updates to progress photos...
Unveiling Progress
Towards the end of last month Agape Development hosted a well attended unveiling of this endeavor and collaboration. Agape Development gained some generous donations to kick-off this project, which will allow Agape to continue furthering their work in the community.
Support Transcend Architecture, Support the Community
If you would like to help support this Transcend Architecture project you may do so by visiting our Donations page.
To make a donation for construction materials or services for this project please contact Transcend Architecture directly via phone or by visiting our Contact page.
For more information about Agape Development and their mission please visit their website at agapedevelopment.org
Project Contributors
SURVEYOR & PLATTING
South Texas Surveying Associates, Inc.
STRUCTURAL
AUDIO/VISUAL
LANDSCAPE
TAS REVIEW AND INSPECTION
SPECIFICATIONS
NEW PROJECT SELECTED: AGAPE DEVELOPMENT
(Agape Development, 2014)
Transcend Architecture is very excited to announce our project with Agape Development the organization that brings hope and transformation to Houston’s Third Ward through economic, emotional and spiritual development.
The Transcend Architecture team unanimously selected Agape Development as our next project. We started with a site visit and meeting some of the Agape team. We were invited to view the presentations prepared by Susan Rogers studio from University of Houston Architecture School with many interesting schemes that lead to great discussions. Jose and Morgana measured, photographed, and drew the existing buildings, and Chris conducted interviews to begin establishing a program. Our first charrette was well attended, with Alex, Alice, Chris, Cameron, Danica, Diana, and Joe coming together to brainstorm and produce schemes for development.
Project Site in Houston's Third Ward Neighborhood (Google Maps screenshot)
The second charrette had Mike, Jose, John C., Alex, Alice, Chris, Danica, Diana, Cameron, Suzanne and Joe coming together this time with Kirk Craig of Agape. We began with an imaginative exercise complete with post-it notes, music, and interpretive dance. Then three teams presented different schemes to Kirk. He selected a favorite, offered a few tweaks and we were off to the races.
Agape Development's Co-founder & Executive Director, Kirk Craig, critiquing the various plan schemes.
There was great teamwork in moving the project from sketches to real plans and renderings. Suzanne and Alex contributed the Vectorworks plans for the new and existing buildings. Joe modeled and rendered the project as Mike added color and texture to the plans and put together boards for Agape’s upcoming fundraiser. Rock with Thomas Printworks printed and delivered the presentation boards.
Sneek peek of Transcend Architecture's proposed design.
We met with Bautex Systems, who have a competition to award ICF forms to the winning project. This is an exciting opportunity that John B. and Karen are pursuing, and it promises additional connections that may benefit Agape as well as future Transcend Architecture clients.
Throughout the process, Morgana has been documenting and posting our efforts to Instagram and Facebook.
We look forward to working with Transcend Architecture partners from the previous project and developing new partnerships to fulfill our mission to promote human unity and dignity through architecture, service, and education.
Prison Entrepreneurship Program: Update
Prison Entrepreneurship Program has successfully moved into their updated and expanded office space! Thank you to all that have worked together with Transcend Architecture and contributed your time and resources to make this new space a reality.
“I could not visualize just what a tremendous change the new office floor plan and design would make for PEP,” said Kristie Wisniewski, PEP’s Chief of Staff. “Our office had a crowded, outdated look to it, and the new space gives us additional staff work areas as well as meeting and training areas for the staff and graduates. It has made a huge difference.”
We are excited about the success of our first project and all the great collaboration. We look forward to working with all of you and those that would like to join us on our next Transcend Architecture project.
Our First Project
Transcend Architecture is excited to announce its first project. Our mission: promoting human unity and dignity through architecture, service, and education. We are working in partnership with the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, a Houston based nonprofit organization that connects the nation's top executives, entrepreneurs, and MBA students with convicted felons. They are in need of additional office and training space, and while they have the financial resources for rent expense, they cannot afford the design and the finish out of their new space.
The drawings are close to completion and we have an estimate for construction. All design, project management, estimation and supervision fees have been donated, along with the carpet, tile and concrete.
$113,437 is needed to complete the construction of this project. Please help us bridge the gap by making a donation on our "Donate" page or Home Page.
Thank you for your help.
Demolition Plan and New Floor Plan for the PEP Program
We are incorporated!
Transcend Architecture is a local 501(c)(3) (pending) non-profit organization devoted to promote human unity and dignity through Architecture, Service and Education. We are now officially incorporated in Houston, Texas.
We are a group of designers with the desire to dedicate our skills to the service of our community. The goal is to make architectural design and construction services accessible to organizations in need, through partnerships and support from other professionals related to our field. We provide pro-bono design and management services for projects in the greater Houston area.
If you are a charitable organization in need of architectural services to further advance your group, we would like to hear from you!