Houston Food Bank Renovation
Houston, TX
310,000 Square Feet
While with RdlR Architects
2011
The Houston Food Bank is the largest source of food for hunger relief in 18 southeast Texas counties working with over 400 hunger relief agencies to acquire and distribute food donations. The operations are staffed primarily by inmate volunteers, probationers and civic volunteers who contribute over 100,000 volunteer hours annually.
As the needs of the client have grown immensely due to the economic conditions and recent hurricane damages in the area, it had become clear that the existing facility was inadequate. In a preparation to secure future growth, the Houston Food Bank purchased a large campus from Sysco, which includes a warehouse, freezer and truck facility buildings. The warehouse, a 290,000 SF building, was to be renovated to and expanded to accommodate office space, classrooms, and large conference and community centers. The company's culture and personality drove the design concept, and as it evolved, it focused on the following features:
- Sustainability
- Modularity
- Daylight
- Color
- Furniture
- Landscape
- Understated Quality.
The design and construction process of the new facility are a good representation of the client's mission: to extend a helping hand, to bring in lost hope and brighten up the lives of others. The result of this effort would have been impossible without the generous donations of business partners, private donors, and the time and effort of numerous volunteers.
The Building After Renovation: rebuilt exterior south wall, new canopy, new entry element, upgraded site utilities.
The Emergency Pantry providing food to those in need. The new screen is hiding repaired and upgraded refrigeration equipment for the freezers.
The new main entry and stair were a new addition. The benches in front of the edible garden were made from salvaged beams from the existing building.
Volunteer entry and edible garden by Asakura Robinson Co.
North Facade and Employee Entry Tower.
Interior View of the Main Stair.
Welcome Desk, Volunteer Area
Volunteer Cafe
Main Street with the Carousel Equipment and entry towers built from salvaged racks from the old warehouse.
Carousel Equipment
Entry to Social Services
Entry to Social Services
Houston Food Bank Administrative Offices. The benches were made from salvaged racks from the original warehouse.
Donated and used furniture was used throughout the entire building. New furniture was provided by Vanguard Environments, Houston, TX. Most new furniture is Greenguard Certified.
Donated and used furniture was used throughout the entire building. New furniture was provided by Vanguard Environments, Houston, TX. Most new furniture is Greenguard Certified.
Volunteer Services Offices
Typical Office Work Area
