Urbannizer Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 (edited) "This will be a very important year," Menil Collection director Josef Helfenstein said. "Some big projects we've been working on for a long time now will begin to unfold. There will be visible progress on the cafe and parking lot."First up are changes designed to make the quiet museum complex a little bit less of a hidden gem.Things are moving forward with Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates' "greening up" of the grounds to create a new gateway to the Menil campus from its Alabama Street parking lot. Visitors also will encounter a new cafe designed by Stern and Bucek Architects that will be owned and operated by Greg Martin, formerly of Taco Milagro and Cafe Express.The museum held a naming contest for the new cafe this fall. About 400 entries were submitted, and the winner will be announced Jan. 8thMore long-term, Helfenstein and the Menil's board hope to release plans for the new Menil Drawing Institute later in the year. They hired a director for the institute, the Italian Allegra Pesenti, in September. Designed by Johnston Marklee, the building will be the first freestanding facility in the U.S. devoted to the study and exhibition of modern and contemporary drawings.http://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/arts-theater/article/Local-Art-scene-builds-on-creativity-5096673.php?cmpid=btfpm#/1 Edited December 30, 2013 by Urbannizer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 http://houston.culturemap.com/news/arts/02-19-14-a-modest-stunner-montrose-museums-long-anticipated-new-building-to-fit-in-with-the-trees/ 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 On a related subject. They were going to remodel the house across the street from the Menil to create the space for the new cafe,'but apparently they felt the building would not meet code so they tore the house completely down and are going to start from scratch. I heard that it would be rebuilt as a bungalow like it was before, but with the new plans included. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) I have reserved my judgement... I like it. Simple. Elegant interior spaces, and the exterior spaces are minimalist interpretations of the neighborhood (you can visualize the silhouettes of the neighboring bungalows in some of the architectural elements. If this thing turns out similar to the quality of the Asia House then we've certainly got a nice, new little architectural work.Add to this the other new building that was announced recently and the Menil campus is quickly turning into its own neighorhood. It is its own neighborhood. Good for them. Edited February 19, 2014 by arche_757 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 yeah.. i was put off by the mediocre initial sketches, but those new renderings look very nice and i like how the design plays off the main building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I think it's beautiful. By far my favorite is the image with the trees in the center (second image). It seems very relaxing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WshfulThnkn Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Wow! Beautiful! Nice addition to the campus. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Goes very well with original St. Thomas campus and Menil Collection. Reminds me of Philip Johnson's 1947 Glass House, very crisp homage to the high modern era with some touches to bring it up to date. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fernz Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Beautiful! Perfect sense of scale 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 On a related subject. They were going to remodel the house across the street from the Menil to create the space for the new cafe,'but apparently they felt the building would not meet code so they tore the house completely down and are going to start from scratch. I heard that it would be rebuilt as a bungalow like it was before, but with the new plans included.Interesting.. I too thought they were going to reuse the bungalow.. I wouldn't mind if they designed it similar to the drawing institute or the Piano building, but I agree they will probably replace it with a bungalow type building.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 The new drawing center looks great. I'll be able to watch it get built from my studio window. It's great living on the park and between the Twombly and Rothko. Now the drawing center behind us. Can't get much better, unless it was ours. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I think this area would be amazing to see during a really nice hard Houston thunder storm. Not only would you smell the wonderful smell of rain and the sound of thunder, but to see the rain running down the roof into this square area and basically making a continuous curtain of dripping rain would be nice to just stand back and observe the beauty that is the nourishment of nature as an art form. Just seems like an event that touches so many senses 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Allen Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Yes, to the above post. I can almost experience it. But, not to sound too backwater, is it just me or does this seem a bit pricey ($40 mil) for a 30k sf structure which won't go over 16 ft in height? (btw, kudos, though, for respecting the surrounding environment). I like the design. Seems very Frank Lloyd Wright-ish. Just, hmmm, 40 mil? I need some convincing it's worth that much. What am I missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fernz Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Yes, to the above post. I can almost experience it. But, not to sound too backwater, is it just me or does this seem a bit pricey ($40 mil) for a 30k sf structure which won't go over 16 ft in height? (btw, kudos, though, for respecting the surrounding environment). I like the design. Seems very Frank Lloyd Wright-ish. Just, hmmm, 40 mil? I need some convincing it's worth that much. What am I missing?You're missing the artwork inside the building - that's what makes the cost of the structure worth it. Like all the previous buildings in the campus, this is supposed to have a special filtering of natural light Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 (edited) For a look at what an awesome roof can do, go to the Cy Twombly Gallery (also on the Menil campus) on a sunny day. The roof is built to diffuse the light and provide a soft glow to the room using natural sunlight. It's really cool. Notice that I said to go and see the roof, not the art. Not a Cy Twombly fan at all! Edited February 20, 2014 by kylejack 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 For a look at what an awesome roof can do, go to the Cy Twombly Gallery (also on the Menil campus) on a sunny day. The roof is built to diffuse the light and provide a soft glow to the room using natural sunlight. It's really cool. Notice that I said to go and see the roof, not the art. Not a Cy Twombly fan at all! LOL Ditto. LOVE the Cy Twombly gallery building. The light in there is amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativehoustonion Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Looks very nice and will get national news. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Yes, to the above post. I can almost experience it. But, not to sound too backwater, is it just me or does this seem a bit pricey ($40 mil) for a 30k sf structure which won't go over 16 ft in height? (btw, kudos, though, for respecting the surrounding environment). I like the design. Seems very Frank Lloyd Wright-ish. Just, hmmm, 40 mil? I need some convincing it's worth that much. What am I missing?The Asia Society building was about 50 million for their structure. i believe its close to 40,000 sq ft though.http://asiasociety.org/texas/about-building Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 i didnt realize the LA architects that designed the MDI are also designing the Energy House. i wonder what they will come up with for that and if it will be similar/play off of the other Menil structures (im sure it would) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Otto Mation) Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 dangr.dave has added a photo to the pool: DSC_9847 Click here to view this photo at the HAIF Photo Pool on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Menil Cafe Construction: http://swamplot.com/renovation-of-menil-bungalow-into-menil-cafe-will-be-more-extensive-than-originally-planned/2014-04-07/ 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plumber2 Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 You're missing the artwork inside the building - that's what makes the cost of the structure worth it. Like all the previous buildings in the campus, this is supposed to have a special filtering of natural light Fifty Shades of Grey. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I hate that they have painted all the homes grey... I could see them saying "wouldn't it be cool if..." but in reality - it has taken a TON of character away from that area. I don't like it at all. bring back some diversity. That may or may not be a shared opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkultra25 Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 ^^ Disagree. "Menil Gray" is a key component of the neighborhood's character, but I guess it can be polarizing - you either like it or you don't. The last time we repainted our house, we considered using that shade of gray. We ultimately opted for a different color scheme, but we got as far as having a friend who lived right around the corner from the Menil ask them for the specific paint code, which they were happy to provide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Here are images from yesterday5/4/14 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 I love the drawing institute renderings! Its a perfect balance of modern and contemporary. It understands the site that it is in and like Renzio Piano before creates a structure which fits into the context of the neighborhood. This has always been a splendid area of town. Nice and tucked away, but would like a some sort of promenade that reachs from the Menil to Richmond. The current walk is very nice and secluded, but I really think the whole area would benefit from some additional exposure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 (edited) You'll get additional exposure albeit by different means than a promenade Edited May 19, 2014 by swtsig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Hines is planning a new multifamily high-rise for Montrose. Dunno the exact location. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TowerSpotter Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 What would the confidential bts in downtown be for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbates2 Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Hillcorp? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.