HOUSTON, TX

Trip: April 23 - 26, 2018 - Workshop with Cary Wolfe

HOST CITY

Upon arrival in Houston (TX), KANVA members were immediately mindful of the southern charm through our general encounters with hospitable locals. The coupling of art and architecture is quite remarkable in the city; the Menil Collection is a thirty (30) acre mixed-use neighborhood dedicated to art with four major pavilions, including the Rothko Chapel, the Twombly gallery, the Dan Flavin installation at Richmond Hall, and the Byzantine Fresco Chapel. The Menil campus has been transformed over the years by distinguished designers such as Philip Johnson, Renzo Piano, David Chipperfield, Mark Rothko and Howard Barnstone.

The James Turrell, Twilight Epiphany Skyspace, located on the pristine campus of Rice University, is an extremely moving space that challenges users to assess their perceived realities and to alter conventional ways of seeing.

HUMAN ACTIONS/IMPACTS ON THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE

The landscapes around the Houston area possess a subliminal quality, with the juxtaposition of endless petrochemical/oil refineries adjacent to numerous nature and wildlife preserves. The setting of the Gulf Coast of Mexico, acts as a pivotal migration route for hundreds of species of birds and a natural habitat for a variety of living beings. These particular landscapes show the intricate entanglement of humans and other living beings; the destructive nature of extraction for ‘power’ and the unknown consequences of explicit actions on a shared ecosystem. The unsettling revelation of intangible ties expresses an urgency to re-examine the magnitude of traces left by humankind and the alternatives necessary for unfeigned cohabitation.

WORKSHOP

The first run-through of the workshop was realized with two inspirational participants, Cary Wolfe (Bruce and Elizabeth Dunlevie Professor of English, Director, 3CT: Center for Critical and Cultural Theory) and Carlos Jiménez (Professor of Architecture and Associate of CJS), which generated thought-provoking conversations and valuable content for the final design toolset. The pre-planned exercises were great initiators for discussions on biocentric architecture and allowed for precious ad hoc moments to arise during the workshop.

In addition to the workshop, KANVA members had the opportunity to tour Rice University’s School of Architecture and to dine with additional academics, Sarah Whiting (Dean and William Ward Watkin Professor of Architecture, John J. Casbarian (Harry K. & Albert K. Smith Professor of Architecture Director of External Programs, Dean Emeritus)

KANVA members present on the trip: Rami Bebawi, Laurence Boutin-Laperrière, Joyce Yam