Rice Village Master Plan
Houston, Tx
Rice University solicited Doug Childers, AIA and the HKS team to study and develop a 10 year master plan for redevelopment of the University’s 20 acres of core real estate holdings in Rice Village, a thriving retail and entertainment district adjacent to the University. The plan identified overarching goals and evaluated numerous options for mixed-use redevelopment, coordinating closely with the concurrent campus master planning efforts. The plan identified future land use, public realm transformation, parking requirements and infrastructure needs over the life of the plan. (Project Images are Confidential)
Work performed as Principal in Charge at HKS, Inc.
Houston Astros Entertainment District
Houston, Tx
Doug Childers, AIA and HKS were engaged by the Houston Astros design a mixed-use / entertainment venue adjacent to Minute Maid Park. Doug was the Principal in Charge and lead a talented team envisioning a dynamic pre-game | post-game and year round experience venue. The final concept included a 17 story, 300 key hotel with 60,000 square foot retail and entertainment space. The design featured an indoor / outdoor room with direct access to the stadium, a large video wall and live performances venue with multiple food and beverage options. The venue is located within Houston’s dynamic Convention and Entertainment district.
Work performed as Principal in Charge at HKS, Inc.
Austin Transit Partnership
Austin, Tx
Systemwide Architecture and Urban Design
In 2022, the Austin Transit Partnership solicited proposals for teams to provide architecture and urban design services for the development of conceptual design and systemwide design guidelines for Austin’s visionary light rail system. HKS lead the solicitation response and formed a joint venture with Netherlands based UNStudio and Denmark based Gehl. Doug Childers, AIA lead the pursuit for HKS. In 2023 the joint venture (HUG) was awarded the project and Doug Childers, AIA served as Project Director. Working with the ATP team, HUG conducted benchmarking and stakeholder engagement, studied the existing conditions, including the transit ecosystem, passenger perceptions and user needs. The team developed guiding design principles as precursor to developing overall design guidelines and station concepts.
Work performed as Project Director at HKS, Inc.
Images courtesy of Austin Transit Partnership
Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Houston, TX
Anticipating an expansion of the Museum campus in 2011, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston was seeking ‘out of the box’ ideas to enhance connectivity between the Mies van den Rohe designed, Carolyn Weiss Law building and an anticipated new wing across Bissonnet Street. Doug Childers, AIA and the Morris Architects team studied 3 primary options, each with its own challenges and opportunities. In 2020, the Museum opened the Kinder Building designed by Steven Holl Architects. The expanded campus featured both an underground tunnel and a traffic calming plaza between the buildings.
Work performed as Principal in Charge at Morris Architects
Downtown-Midtown Houston
Multiple Projects
Houston, Tx
Between 2008 and 2023, Doug Childers, AIA was involved in multiple urban planning projects in downtown and Midtown Houston - working primarily with the City of Houston and the Houston Downtown Management District:
Wheeler Station Workshop: In 2022, the Rice Design Alliance was asked to facilitate a workshop to explore challenges and opportunities around the future of the future Wheeler Street light rail station. Precedents and best practices for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) were explored in depth. The workshop convened numerous experts, stakeholders and public sector actors in a day long workshop at the Ion in Midtown Houston. Doug Childers, AIA as President of the Rice Design Alliance facilitated the Workshop. Participants included representatives from Houston METRO, City of Houston Public Works, The ION District, Rice University School of Architecture, HR&A Advisors, South Main Baptist Church, Rogers Partners Architects and Ultra-Barrio Architects.
Ensemble | HCC Station area Plan: While a Principal with Morris Architects, a 66 block neighborhood plan was created anchored by the HCC | Ensemble light rail station. This Livable Center Plan sponsored by the City of Houston and the Houston-Galveston area Council triggered the development of the Independent Arts Collaborative now known as the Match, the Mid-Main mixed-use project, and several other transformative projects. The Plan was recognized with a Project Planning award by the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Work performed as Principal in Charge at Morris Architects
Independent Arts Collaborative Competition Entry: Morris Architects was shortlisted for the design of the performing and visual arts center, that ultimately became the MATCH. Doug Childers, AIA was the Principal in Charge leading the Morris Architects team.
Work performed as Principal in Charge at Morris Architects
Livable Center Plan for Convention District | East Downtown: Morris Architects was awarded the 160 block Livable Centers Study for Downtown and EADO. Doug Childers, AIA was the Principal in Charge leading the Morris Architects team. The team evaluated existing conditions, engaged stakeholders, created an overall Vision Plan with 40 detailed recommendations. The plan was the catalyst for the Downtown Living Initiative, a City sponsored incentive program that resulted in construction of 7500 residential units in Downtown. The Plan also identified the location and program for the development of the Marriott Marquis Hotel completed in 2016.
Work performed as Principal in Charge Morris Architects