Bay Area Archithoughts

your weekly dose of local architecture musings

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Aerial Construction Status 10/04/16 ESD No. 48 Fire Station No.5 Complex Video courtesy Collier Construction, LLC.

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How Randall-Porterfield Architects Can Help Guide You Through Your Building Design Process

Launching an architectural project can be a daunting challenge for any company. Aside from deciding upon a design, which must take into account regulations, functionality, cost and aesthetics just to name a few, companies also face the difficulty of determining the right location of their next building design. In light of these numerous challenges, it’s easy to see why even the most seasoned businesses have benefited from the expertise of a full-service architectural company. And that’s where Randall-Porterfield comes in. So if you’re ready to begin planning for a new building, here are just a few of the many ways we can help:

Negotiation of Proposals

Once your site has been approved as suitable for construction, it’s time to negotiate proposals. This means that the Randall-Porterfield architecture team will sit down to review, in detail, the terms and agreements proposed by all of the contractors participating in the build. This ensures that you’re going forward on the best terms possible.  Because we see our customers as partners, we take care to conduct a thorough negotiation process with all of the parties involved in your building process. Architecture Design

The design of your building will unquestionably be one of its most important features. Not only does an exceptional design impress and contribute to the overall aesthetic of your community, great design allows for optimal functionality, too. Randall-Porterfield has years of experience designing of a wide variety of structures, from recreational buildings to commercial structures and more. Our commitment to sustainability also provides us the opportunity to offer customers unique designs that are environmentally conscious. To guarantee that a building meets your exact specifications, our architects will meet with you one-on-one to discuss and negotiate every aspect of your building’s design. Construction

As part of the construction process, we’ll provide your construction contractors with a number of important documents that will ensure your vision is brought to life. These construction documents include things like floor plans, electrical/ lighting plans, building/wall sections, interior elevations, and much more. In essence, these documents will guide the work contractors perform on a daily basis. Throughout construction, we’re also there to monitor progress at regular intervals. The time, money and effort invested into a building should never go to waste because mistakes were only identified at the end of construction.

Coordination of All Parties 

Managing all of the players involved in a site build can be overwhelming; given that most owners are still busy operating their businesses during the construction of a new building, we’re more than happy to take care of some of the routine management that comes with working with multiple parties. We’ll make sure that all teams carry out your vision in a timely manner.

With over thirty years in the business, Randall-Porterfield has the experience customers can depend on to successfully launch an architectural project, from site location to design. For more information on our architectural services, check out portfolios of our previous architecture projects, or contact us today!

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RPA Profiles: Jim Helm

RPA Profiles: James C. Helm II

Mr. Helm has recently rejoined RPA after a 5 year hiatus. He is a registered architect with over 24 years of professional experience.  Prior to rejoining Randall-Porterfield Architects, he worked as a project manager on a vast array of architectural building types.  Some diverse building types James has had the opportunity to work on are municipal, commercial, religious and has an emphasis on educational work.

James joined RPA to refocus his career on medical and educational projects.  In his time at RPA, he has worked as a Principal and Project Manager as well as BIM Coordinator on a proposed UTMB facility for Galveston.  James has also been involved in commercial and higher educational projects that have achieved LEED Silver status.  As a LEED accredited professional, he is active in sustainability issues in the Houston area. His responsibilities at RPA include: management, design and space planning, collaborating with clients, directing consultants and engineers, coordinating construction documents, and construction administration.  James is also responsible for generating and maintaining building information models. 

Q&A Corner

Hometown: League City, Texas Achilles Heels: Golf, Craft Beers and Home brewing Happy Place: With my Boston terriers and traveling to wine country Prized Possession: Time with my fiancée Current Obsession: restoring mid century modern furniture Gawks at: Rem Koolhaas/ I was blessed enough to visit various projects in Netherlands and France and fortunate to tour the office OMA while studying abroad as well as meet him here in Houston Years at RPA: 19 Current Project: UTMB West Side Clinic, Galveston Texas Last Accomplishment: Blocker Middle School, Texas City Texas Favorite Thing about Houston: Friends, Food and Football Words of Wisdom: Ockham’s Razor – “entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity” which I interpret as that the simplest solution is usually the correct one….. Baby Pic:

...Aww baby Jim!!!

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Fresh Off The Press! Sea Scout Base is featured again!

Sea Scout Base graces the front cover of Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine!

In addition to a 2 page feature spread on the project, RPA Principal Bob Randall was also interviewed on "his thoughts on how this project all came together."

"[GCM] How is this building different from other buildings your firm has designed?  [Bob Randall] The main different is this building has exterior circulation corridors and three exterior vertical stair towers. This allows for panoramic view s and a safer more passive form of fire protection by eliminating interior corridors."

See the full article here: http://issuu.com/baygroupmedia/docs/gulfcoastmariner115

Courtesy of www.GulfCoastMariner.com

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Happy Holidays from RPA!!

Happy Holidays from Randall-Porterfield!

Thanks for another great year ~ warmest wishes from our family to yours this holiday season!

12/12/14 Ugly Sweater Day

12/19/14 Holiday Party

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Jim at TSA Expo 2014

Found a familiar face in "Bautex News"!

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News from the Texas Society of Architects Expo 2014

The Bautex team caught up with architect Jim Helm from Randall-Porterfield at TSA Expo in Houston in early November. Randall-Porterfield is celebrating a 30th anniversary in 2014, and we're proud that the team at Randall-Porterfield used the Bautex Wall System in a dormitory project on Galveston Island.  

"The TSA Expo was a great networking event that also allowed me the opportunity to learn about issues that were unique to my interests," said Helm. "The exhibitors at the expo seemed to have gone to extra effort promoting new and essential building components. I also had an exclusive tour of the Asia Society Texas Center. Something I have been wanting to see for some time. Overall... Fantastic." --Bautex News, 12.11.14 Issue

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For more info on Bautex Systems click HERE

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Better Know A Project: Sea Scout Base In Action!

Check out some exciting updates on the Sea Scout Base in action! We are so excited to be able to help bridge the gap between youth and marine life & careers...

"The new sailing facility recently started Project REACH, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) based program that taught ... children from local schools how to sail while learning STEM-based skills..." -- Johnston Farrow, The Daily News 12.15.14

For full story click below: Galveston Count, The Daily News RPA Facebook

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Women in Architect exhibit at AIA Houston

“We can collectively do something more than we can as an individual.” – Elizabeth Chu Richter the 2015 AIA national president-elect.

For the past year a small army has been working vigorously on an exhibit for the AIA Houston that tells the history of women in Architecture from 1850 to present.

The information about these women are graphic demonstrated by a 3 dimensional pixilated time line, leadership boards highlighting specific women in Houston, and an inspirational video interview from women who practice architecture.

If you would like to find out more about the exhibit please read this OffCite article, or go and see the exhibit first hand at the Architecture Center Houston. The exhibit will be up at the AIA Houston until January of 2015.

OffCite: http://offcite.org/2014/11/11/pixel-by-pixel-women-in-architecture-tells-story-of-local-and-international-pioneers

AIA Houston WiA information: https://aiahouston.org/v/featured-exhibitions/

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Regatta Event at New Sea Scout Base

Saturday evening, November 1, 2014, was the first regulation regatta event for the Community Sailing Center Galveston, located at 7509 Broadway, within the new Sea Scout Base Galveston Facility.

This inaugural event was sponsored by US Sailing: U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship, with nationwide competitors participating in “Bench Marking” this unique waterfront facility for adaptive sailing purposes.

Randall-Porterfield Architects, as the Project Architect and avid supporter of this event, would like to thank the consulting team, construction manager, subcontractors, and vendors, for their efforts and contributions throughout this project development.  A special thanks to Jacob White Construction Company, DBR Engineering, and AVADek for their financial contributions and support to host the evening dinner and awards program.

This was a most rewarding event for all of the sailing competitors and their supporters as they engaged in the celebration of ‘The vision for this facility’ made possible by the gracious gift of Captain Charles and Rosemary Doolin.

From Bob Randall, President, Randall-Porterfield Architects

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Graphic Inspirations: Abstracted Tuscany

Putting together graphic presentations and renderings have long been one of (if not) the most exciting part for me in the design process.

One can give a blueprint life through his or her choice of rendering style, and at the same time take away from a project if done so inadequately. Through my experience even the subtlest change in colors, materials, views, and more can largely affect the emotions that viewers may feel about a building or object. As an architectural designer, I only hope to continue to hone in on my rendering skills so that I can best express the story and poetry behind every project.

Below is a new rendering style I tried on for a pending project in Tuscan Lakes, League City. Since it is still in design development phase, I thought the subtle painted texture fit well with the abstract phase of this project...

...just these colors make me miss Italy!

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Vegas with RPA LEED AP's!

Take 8 drop dead gorgeous women, let them loose in Vegas, and see what happens!...

I think each of the women in my office wouldn't even think of hesitating, when asked if they are in a good work environment.  I know my response has always been, I’m blessed beyond belief to be with Randall-Porterfield. 

This past summer I was surprised when the beautiful Carrie Sheldon came up to me saying the office was going to pay for a womens retreat, in thanks for us taking the initiative to Go Green..I was thrilled and ecstatic, but then I learned that it was going to be taking place the same week that I was going to be gone for a mission trip that I was going on with the youth that I teach at my church.  It was okay though, I was going to do something big and would take them up on the opportunity for a womens retreat the next time..if there would be a next time.

Well..fast forward a few days, and Carrie comes back to me saying that they weren’t going to go without me and would move the dates to when I returned from the mission trip!  Have I mentioned that I’m thankful to be with RPA?

As mentioned above, the office decided to show thanks to the girls in the office, for studying, and passing our LEED AP exams, and sent us to Vegas for a couple days..that’s right, Vegas.  Everything was taken care of and scheduled in advance so that we could enjoy some good girl time and rest!

It was my first time in Vegas, and my first time in/on a plane. Haha yes, you read that right, my first time on a plane, and it was incredible!  Can’t wait for my next flight.  Airports are fascinating by the way.  The volume of people coming and going..from where and where to..it just fascinates me!  I could have sat there and watched for hours and hours.  Next time, I do believe I’ll begin to interview the people around me!

Regardless..we made it to Vegas, and it was incredible!  Our amazing host, Cindy blew me away by her kindness and love for each of us.  She took us to amazing restaurants, showed us the sites, and gifted us an incredible spa day!  We were able to draw closer as an office and as friends, and have such a wonderful restful experience that I will never forget!  I feel like there is so much I could say, yet, if I were to do just that, this post would go on and on, and then where we would be, but wanting to return all over again! 

In short, it was amazing!  I walked away from that trip with an even greater appreciation for my office.  I have known I am at the right place, since I walked in for the interview just over a year ago, I have been thankful..but to see that the owners of RPA go above and beyond to thank us for hard work, there aren't words for the appreciation I feel towards RPA.  I was very undeserving of the generosity, but thankful beyond words.

Girls..when and where are we going next?!

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RPA Taking On the MS150!!

“When are you going to get your lazy butt onto a bike and ride the MS 150 with me?”

C.J. Libby

Every dang year for 10 years C.J. would ask me that question.  My standard answer was always “maybe next year C.J.”  With C.J.’s passing earlier this year, it appears that we here at RPA have gotten off of our lazy butts.  In honor of C.J. Libby, Randall-Porterfield has officially entered the 2015 BP MS 150 bicycle ride from Houston to Austin.  As the captain of Team RPA I am here to ask the question… What in the world have we gotten ourselves into?!?!

We had two MS 150 volunteers give us an informational session at our office last week.  Cyronica and Lisa were incredibly nice and very informative.  We came away from the meeting with our heads spinning.  We have come to the realization that this is a big-time event.  But you know what?  We ain’t scared! Well, not all of us anyway.

So here’s the deal; the ride will be on April 18-19 2015.  As the RPA team captain, I was able to register early for the ride.  We have a team named Team Randall-Porterfield (don’t worry; we are working on a more creative name!).  We have established a goal of having 20 riders on our team.  If we can make that number, we will be able to have our own tent at the midway point in La Grange on Saturday evening April 18.  As of right now, we have six riders committed (Mike “The Blaze” Porterfield, Xavier “Archi-Rider” Vargas, Jenny “Get Out Of My Way” Bright, Rose “What Do You Mean I’m Riding” Lee, Lauren “Pedal Pounder” Roberts and myself).  That leaves 14 riders left to add to the team.  The cost is $100 per rider plus you must raise a minimum of $400 in donations for MS research.  We will be fundraising as a team over the next several months and want to blow that minimum out of the water!

If you are interested in being a rider, please contact me here at RPA ([email protected]) and I’ll point you in the right direction to get signed up.  We are going to have an awesome time over the next few months raising money, training and making fun of each other for how silly we look in spandex.  We also need volunteers to assist the riders over that weekend.  Julie Allen will be our lead volunteer in the office and will be gathering information from now until the ride on exactly what all that means.

The website for the ride is BPMS150.net.  You’ll be able to find a bunch of information about the event there.  So here we go.  We are committed to this event.  We are going to do this as a team.  We’ll do it to get into shape.  We’ll do it to help with the great cause of MS research.  Mostly, we’ll do it to remember our good friend, C.J. Libby.

Chris “It’s How Far To Austin?” Green

“Think Happy” 

-C.J. Libby

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RPA Profiles: Julie Russell

RPA Profiles: Julie Russell

A graduate from the University of Houston, Julie has brought along valuable school work experience with her since she joined RPA two years ago. In addition to her current projects (Katy Fire Station Complex #5, South Shaver Elementary, and Parkview Middle School), Julie also spearheads the recycling initiative at the RPA office and is well on her way in testing to become a registered architect -- all while being a mom to a three year old! Go girl!!

Q&A Corner:

Hometown: Houston, TX Took First Breath On: 09-29-1980 Achilles Heel: Chocolate Happy Place: Galveston, TX Prized Possession: My 3 year old son! Current Obsession: Hot yoga Years at RPA: 2 years Current Project: Harris County ESD #48 West I-10 Fire Station #5 complex Last Accomplishment: Passing the BDCS division of the ARE! 5 more to go!!! Favorite Thing about Houston: Being near the coast Kid Pic:

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Site Visit: South Shaver Elementary

A site visit on August 15 to South Shaver Elementary drew much excitement from the RPA office as the exemplary 21st century educational facility neared completion.

By September 8, school already started and the building is now occupied. Professional photography to come soon!

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CJ Libby

On August 15, 2014, Carol Jean Libby passed away, and in that passing, our profession lost one of the greatest architects ever known (and unknown).  I met C.J. (as we called him here at Randall-Porterfield) in January of 1997 when I began working here at RPA.  I was an intern architect, two years out of Texas A&M and as green as the fairways of Augusta National.  Mike Porterfield introduced me to C.J. by saying “this is C.J… he’s a crazy old Ag who I’ve known all my life.  Listen to everything he says, and you will be a good architect.” Over the years, that is exactly what I did, and I can truly say that I owe almost everything I know about putting a building together to C.J. Libby.  The guy was an absolute architectural encyclopedia.  If I ever had a question about detailing anything, C.J. always had the answer.  His vast wealth of architectural knowledge was mind-boggling.

When I think about what made C.J. a great architect, I don’t immediately go to the fact that there was not a question he could not answer, it’s that he would answer the question with a smile every time.  And he always gave the answer in humility.  You see, C.J. didn’t care that he knew everything (which I am convinced he did!); he cared if you understood what he was telling you so you would learn.  I said that C.J. was one the greatest unknown architects for a reason; he was not interested in getting credit for all of the amazing buildings he designed, he was happy in merely contributing as part of the team.  Architecture is, for the most part, a total team effort, and C.J. understood this better than anyone.  We have a great staff here at RPA, but it’s just a bit less-great without C.J.

I am going to miss my good friend and mentor.  I will miss our rants on the Mondays following an Aggie football game (win or lose).  I will miss laughing with him every time the university of Texas (t.u.) would lose a football game. I will miss listening to his stories of practicing track at A&M while Paul “Bear” Bryant yelled at the “Junction Boys” on the football practice field.  I will miss his stories of the Ol’ Army Days at Texas A&M.  I will miss his stories of traveling with his family.  I will miss his stories of just barely missing the largest flounder ever seen in all of human history.  I will miss seeing him show up at work sporting his full bicycle riding gear (helmet mirrors and all!).  I will miss listening to him tell stories about his family.  I will miss his bellowing laugh and his infectious smile. 

C.J. was more than a great architect.  He was a great man.  He was a great husband.  He was a great father.  He was a great friend.  He was a great mentor to so many and he was a great man of faith.  I take great comfort in knowing that C.J. no longer walks in this world by faith, but rather, he now walks in glory by sight.  I am so very thankful for the privilege of having even been able to known him, let alone to be able to call him friend.

  Chris Green (C.J.’s friend)

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Graphic Inspirations: Hélène Binet

When I was out with a former classmate and photographer Bao Loi a few weeks ago taking pictures for RPA's project at the Armand Bayou Nature Center (pictures to come soon!), I asked him whose architectural photography he looked up to. His response was Hélène Binet.

Since being out at the photo shoot, I have been curious about how architectural photographers can make physically static pieces of architecture emotionally stir one's soul. Looking through the accomplished European photographer's work, I sense both the peace and passing of time as Binet flawlessly shows how a structure is enhanced and evolves with natural light and shadows. Seeing how photography captures a moment in time that that will never come again, I am reminded of how truly living in the present we as human beings can also tap into the beauty and potential of every single moment.

Take in some more breath taking images here:

Credit: Hélène Binet

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RPA Profiles: Joe McNair

RPA Profiles: Joe McNair

Since joining Randall-Porterfield Architects, Joe has been a vital member to the office. With his vast experience with details, Joe helps everyone in the office during the construction document phase detail their sections. We also wouldn't have the best pot of coffee brewing in the office every morning if it weren't for him... a round of applause to Joe for keeping us all awake!

Q&A Corner:

Hometown: Lake Jackson, Texas Took First Breath On: October 18, 1943 Achilles Heel: Age Happy Place: Home Prized Possession: Furry Friends Current Obsession: None Years at RPA: 1.5 years Current Project: Katy Fire Station No. 5 Last Accomplishment: Employment Favorite Thing about Houston: Access to everything Words of Wisdom: “Take one day at a time” Baby Pics:

Now we know where Disney got their inspiration for Woody & Bullseye...!