Project name: Shade On the Bayou
Building type: Police Tower + Bike Shop
Location: Houston, Texas
Programs used: ArchiCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop, Artlantis
The Building is located on the Houston Bayou overlooking the existing Police Memorial. It consists of a Police watch Tower, Bike Shop, and community shaded area which are designed to be an easy place of access for both the community and the Buffalo Bayou Bike Police.
Along the Central Path there are three separate shaded areas. This is an appealing factor in the often uncomfortably hot and humid Houston climate. Naturally creating a social environment on the open Bayou Paths.
The materials of the building, Cor-ten and exposed concrete, are used to create a relationship to the mechanical nature of a bicycle and the existing materials used along the Buffalo Bayou.
By using natural ventilation and stack ventilation the building has the ability to cool down on its own.
The Bike Shop service space is designed to be open and closed to the outside. This makes the loading of bikes easier and gives people the opportunity to observe the shop.