Houston Endowment’s aim was to select an outstanding design team and design concept for their new headquarters building. Emerging, upcoming, international and diverse studios were strongly encouraged to apply. That said, prospective design teams had to also be able to demonstrate the necessary experience and a successful track record to allow seamless delivery of the project.

The competition was managed by independent competition specialists Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC).

Stage One – Expression of Interest

An open international call for participation that was aimed at attracting the very best design talent from across the globe.

No design was required at the first stage. Architects, landscape architects and designers who met the Search Statement’s requirements were invited to submit an Expression of Interest detailing an initial approach to the project, their experience and relevant design skills. Please note the deadline for stage one has now passed.

A shortlist of four competitors was selected to participate in stage two of the competition. 

Stage Two – Design Concept

The finalists were asked to create multidisciplinary teams and to prepare design concepts for the headquarters building. All teams were required to include an architect registered in the State of Texas as part of their team at this stage.

Shortlisted teams were provided with detailed briefing information and invited to visit Houston for a site tour and seminar. A technical panel reviewed the entries and produced a report for the Selection Committee, who conducted interviews and selected a winner.

The Selection Committee included Jesse H. Jones II, Chair, Houston Endowment Board; Guy Hagstette, Vice President of Parks and Civic Projects, Kinder Foundation; Joseph C. Dilg, Board Member, Houston Endowment; Ann Stern, President and CEO, Houston Endowment; Meejin Yoon, Principal, Höweler and Yoon Architecture; Alex Washburn, Principal, DRAW Brooklyn; Tom Forney, President and CEO, Forney Construction; and Malcolm Reading, Competition Director. 

The Selection Committee met in October 2019 to interview the shortlist and selected the team led by Kevin Daly Architects as the winner of the competition.

The four finalists’ design concepts are now available to view in an online gallery.

Each shortlisted team that submitted a compliant entry received an honorarium of US$50,000 at the conclusion of the competition.