TA24-J F-Pages - Flipbook - Page 86
IN
Alief community gathers at “the biggest front porch in Texas.”
landscaping guides visitors toward the main entrance.
Bottom “ALIEF” is proclaimed proudly in 16-foot-tall aluminum letterforms — an
iconic welcome sign.
Top Seamless
84 Texas Architect
1/2 2024
ALL PHOTOS BY ALBERT VECERKA/ESTO
Opening spread The
Houston, as well as other cities like it that are characterized by low
density and extensive highway networks, the concept of third spaces
takes on a unique dimension. The sprawling nature of the city — resulting
from a lack of municipal regulation — presents residents with limited transportation options, a reality that is particularly challenging for households
relying on public transportation. In response, diverse community programs
are being collocated to create hybrid third spaces that transcend the traditional
boundaries of public-private and work-home categories.
Conceived by the architects at Page Southerland Page and unveiled in January 2023, West Houston’s Alief Neighborhood Center & Park o昀昀ers a compelling example of how these quintessential public services are being reimagined.
Alief, like many neighborhoods in the Houston metro area, experienced
signi昀椀cant development following World War II, attracting new residents from
near and far, including refugees from neighboring states and other countries.
The neighborhood was also once home to notable performers like Mo Amer
and Lizzo. This diversity gave rise to a resilient and proud Alief community,
marked by shared struggles and victories. Alief exempli昀椀es how a community
can rede昀椀ne its identity and create public spaces that mirror its ethos.
In 2014, Alief ’s local governance embarked on discussions regarding the
redevelopment of the community center, underscoring their dedication to
creating a facility that re昀氀ects the diversity of residents within the Houston
suburb. This project marked an important step in an ongoing 30-year endeavor
to transform District F. The lead design architect at Page, Jonas Risén, AIA,
recounts that communication was essential during the initial open house
neighborhood meetings in order to overcome frustrations that the project
would not address community needs.
Extensive outreach meetings during schematic design revealed latent community needs and desires. The project was not just about building a center;
it also needed to re昀氀ect a new approach to urban design as well as cultural
understanding. In fact, understanding how services were perceived by di昀昀erent
cultures played a crucial role in the project. For example, as Natalia Beard,
a principal at SWA Group and the lead landscape architect on the project,
explains, di昀昀erent communities have unique ways of understanding what
“public” entails, particularly in the context of privacy and gender segregation.
Page principal Wendy Heger, AIA, also notes that as government-operated
entities, public libraries can carry a negative stigma among some communities due to fears of being surveilled or publicly monitored. As a result, it was
essential to communicate that the project’s services and facilities were designed
to provide equal access to everyone.
From an urban perspective, the Alief Neighborhood Center acts as a central hub, particularly in times of emergency. Houston’s vulnerability to natural
disasters accelerated the development of third spaces as part of the city’s resiliency strategy. The center didn’t replace existing networks like neighborhood
churches and parks; instead, it enhanced them. It has become a place where
aid can be distributed, emphasizing the importance of preparation before
emergencies strike and ensuring that the community would have a place for
support in such situations.
The landscape architects at SWA Group took the helm in shaping the
center into a resilient hub of community interaction. The facility o昀昀ers a
diverse array of recreational facilities, including a skatepark, sports courts,
playgrounds, soccer 昀椀elds, a neighborhood pool, and a rock-climbing wall.
The design is purposeful, incorporating a planted seating area and courts
for basketball, tennis, and soccer. To ensure acoustic separation, adultfocused sporting courts are thoughtfully distanced from gathering spaces
and playscapes.