OPEN CHANNEL FLOW Open Channel Flow is a sculpture by New York based artist Matthew Geller, that was commissioned by the Houston Arts Alliance as a permanent piece for the City of Houston Art Collection. Turnkey architecture, custom component fabrication, and construction management helped to realize this commission as a kit-of-parts that was assembled on site efficiently with the quality and finish of a manufactured product. Located next to Buffalo Bayou, the structure emerges from the landscape of a Houston Water Production Station to a height of 60’. Inspired by the strange protrusions of plumbing infrastructure, the colossal pipe works features a public outdoor shower activated by a hand pump. A nearby skate park ensures that a steady flow of skaters and passersby will indulge in a refreshing spritz on Houston’s infamously humid afternoons.

Tuesday, January 26th University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture Auditorium What started as a studio project to rethink Frederick Kiesler's unbuilt Grotto for Meditation has turned into an opportunity for scholarship and design.  The unveiling of the digitally fabricated New Harmony Grotto is the first installation of a two tier project that will culminate in the publication of a forthcoming book.  Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of faculty and students. 5 p.m. Welcome CoA Auditorium Patricia Oliver, Dean UHCoA Introduction Michelangelo Sabatino, UHCoA Kiesler: Architecture and Psychoanalysis Beatriz Colomina, Princeton University 6 p.m. Introduction Joe Mashburn, UHCoA The Kiesler Studio: Ben Nicholson, School of the Art Institute of Chicago Conversation with Mrs. Jane Blaffer Owen 6:30 p.m. Unveiling of Grotto Keeland Center President Renu Khator and Provost John Antel Joe Meppelink and Andrew Vrana, UHCoA Exhibition Opening in the Archives and Reception in the Atrium to follow.

All components have been formed and the "tail" section bolts together in 45 minutes.

Metalab was recognized in AIA Houston's 2009 Design Awards for the Green Development Sales Center at the Mirabeau B. at Hyde Park and Waugh, a green condiminium complex.  This project was another adaptation of SPACE.

Texas Architect featured several University of Houston Green Building Component projects in its November/December 2009 edition. The article first chronicles the inception of the UHGBC and then feature press for early iterations of PV-Pod and SPACE from designers at Metalab and their student and industry collaborators.  

We had a great trip over to London via NYC, the presentation went well and the discussion moderated by Brett Steele and Alan Dempsey was engaging. We went across town afterward to see the AAFAB exhibition.