The Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has named Studio RED Architects as Firm of the Year 2015. Its four founding partners shaped Studio RED as a unique, alternative architectural practice, countering the traditional model normally seen. The firm was honored at the 2015 Celebrate Architecture Gala on April 25.
The AIA Houston Firm of the Year Award is presented annually to a Houston architecture firm that has consistently produced distinguished work for a period of at least 10 years. In 2015, Studio RED Architects celebrates 10 years in business. The Houston-based architectural firm has a reputation for design excellence in entertainment, commercial and worship facilities. Notable projects include worship centers such as Lakewood Church, performing arts centers such as the Texas Southmost College Music Education Building, and LEED certified projects such as the LEED Gold award-winning City of Houston Permitting Center, LEED Silver award-winning Amazing Place and LEED Platinum award-winning TreeHouse Memorial City.
“We couldn’t be more proud to be presented the Firm of the Year Award by our peers,” says Pete Ed Garrett, partner, Studio RED Architects. Garrett served on the AIA Houston Board of Directors from 1991-1993.
Staying true to its mission, the firm has achieved its goal to become a different kind of architectural firm that offers clients the depth and experience of a large firm, with the direct principal involvement of a small firm. The firm is led by four partners and four principals, with 20 design staff. This ratio of architectural designers to administrative overhead positions the firm to place a higher percentage of fee revenues toward design documentation than typically found in other firms.
The office atmosphere is informal, enthusiastic and personal; creating an environment that is a continuation of the founding partners’ college studio days. Projects are peer-reviewed in the REDroast jury panel, and the firm hosts continuing education programs through REDuniversity. This casual and collaborative setting has allowed all staff to focus on their passion in architecture, and also to experience the varied roles required in the design services delivery. No project is measured with utilization rates and profitability, so the architectural staff can focus on creating quality architectural design and details without the concern of man-hours and efficiency.
Meeting their goals of positioning the firm to be different, the partners are refining their mission statement strategy for the next decade. With the operational and organizational structure in place, more strategic planning is being implemented to position Studio RED as a boutique design firm.
“Looking to the future, we’re excited by new opportunities for innovation,” says Garrett. “We want to be known as the firm that is resourceful, inspired and boundless.”
For more information about Studio RED Architects, visit https://studiored1stg.wpengine.com and watch the AIA Firm of the Year video released by the firm here:
