H O U S T O N L A T I N O C U L T U R E C E N T E R
ARCH 5500 | Fall 2022
West Elevation
The Site is located in Houston, Texas directly East of downtown in an area called the Second Ward. The site has an immediate connection to the rest of the city because it is directly South of Buffalo Bayou. The highway that is closest to the site is Interstate 69, which connects to the larger highway network that makes up the fabric of Houston.
The site is surrounded by different elements and buildings that impact the customs and traditions in the area. From parks to charities, this area is a growing community that embraces its history and culture. The immediate site context is full of places that give back to the city and the community.
Total area: 102,000 SF
S I T E P L A N N I N G
Site Plan Sketching
Site Plan Diagram
Final Site Plan
The divisions bring different elements together as one unity, having different self-individual characteristics that build one strong community. Independence and personal achievement are from the Latino traditional culture. The museum geometry is divided by multiple solid walls to create interior spaces that allow people to circulate in between where hidden spaces are.
F L O O R P L A N S
1st Floor Plan
2nd Floor Plan
3rd Floor Plan
E L E V A T I O N S
The variation of different materials is highly exposed on four facades to please the building envelope and to respond to the programs within. The orientation of this building is located perpendicularly in a North-South direction where the least elevations face the immediate sun direction to lower the solar heat gain.
Aesthetically, the two longitudinal elevations are observed by passengers from both South Jensen Drive and the surrounding neighborhood.
East Elevation
North Elevation
South Elevation
S E C T I O N S
Longitudinal Section
Cross Sections
D E T A I L S E C T I O N S
Detail Section 1
