HEATHER B ROWELL
AIA RID
HR Design Dept
SAY IT LOUD - TEXAS Exhibitor
Texas Based Designer
Who or what inspires you professionally?
The past three years I’ve had the privilege to teach architecture studios at Rice University and the University of Houston. My students and my academic colleagues have been a constant source of inspiration.
HEATHER B ROWELL
Bio:
The great designer, Heather Rowell, a Houston based architect, co-founded HR Design Dept in 2018. She received her Masters of Architecture degree from Rice University and has taught design studios at the Rice University and the University of Houston. She was a principal owner of award winning Content Architecture in Houston for 7.5 years. She currently serves as Secretary of the Rice Design Alliance. She is also actively involved in AIA Women in Architecture and the Rice School of Architecture Mentorship Program.
How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I’ve always been drawn to creative fields and considered several in college. Architecture interested me most in that it involved problem solving, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and had the potential to directly impact patterns of daily living.
What do you do?
I’m a practicing architect and professor in Houston, Texas. I co-founded HR Design Dept with Eric Hughes in 2018. We operate our practice with a belief that architecture should be collaborative, responsive, and responsible.
What excites you in the work you do?
As a small business owner, each day presents its own set of challenges and tasks. No two projects or clients are alike and I am energized by the unique professional journey each project provides.
Who or what inspires you professionally?
The past three years I’ve had the privilege to teach architecture studios at Rice University and the University of Houston. My students and my academic colleagues have been a constant source of inspiration.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
I am very proud of serving as the first Chair of AIA Houston’s Women in Architecture Committee. WiA Houston has been an ongoing source of support, inspiration, and motivation for me and many others in our professional community.
Featured Project Name:
Delz Residence
Featured Project Location:
Houston, Texas
Featured Project Completion Date:
2016
Role in Featured Project:
Lead Designer (completed while Principal Owner of Content Architecture)
Featured Project Description:
The Delz Residence is the renovation of two aging metal warehouses. Previously an auto mechanic's shop, the 6000 sq ft main structure contains a residence, art studio, and garage. A light well brightens the core of the deep building and divides the public and private realms of the home. Large windows infill the previous garage door openings and are shaded by a generous steel canopy and an evergreen tree court to the west. A secondary guest warehouse is connected by a shared outdoor patio.
