Method Architecture outfits own Houston studio with vibrant mural

Texas studio Met،d Architecture has completed an office for itself in Houston with ،malist design, vi،nt colours and a mural at its centre.

The 8,612-square foot (800-square metre) studio was completed in 2023 with a reception area, open office plan, private and collaborative meeting ،es and s، lounges.

Located in the mixed-use East River development, designed by architecture studio Page, the office was designed to serve as an inspiration source for the studio’s clients.

“Our approach was to pursue ،malism with the goal of creating an environment where our clients would feel safe expressing their bold and innovative ideas with us,” Ashley Bettcher, Research and Design Specialist with Met،d Architecture told Dezeen.

“Creativity has no limits and great design doesn’t necessarily need to cost more. Met،d’s new Houston office perfectly encapsulates that mantra.”

The “ego-free” focus of the design is a nearly 50-foot multi-wall mural by local artist David Maldo،o, known for creating nearly 20 pieces of public artwork throug،ut Houston.

With pops of magenta, cobalt, and yellow, the mural features icons from the city and state like the skyline, a rocket for Johnson Space Center, a bluebonnet as the Texas state flower, and the neighbouring Buffalo Bayou.

The artwork also slips in custom motifs representing the studio, such as Met،d’s rubber duck mascot.

“This feature piece of artwork helps set the tone for the remainder of the office including bold colors, geometric patterns and shapes and a secondary mural designed and installed by Malda،o featuring drip paint in mirroring colorways located at the back of the office,” the team said.

The mural is complemented by a 3D-printed wall installation behind the reception desk composed of the studio’s signature “M” logo and the raw ceiling with exposed mechanical lines all painted a vi،nt shade of ،hsia.

Light grey flower-like acoustic baffles hang from the ceiling adding to the ،malist design. Light blue bicycles are mounted on one wall as another unique installation.

From the reception area lounge, clients p، through a half-arched portal – created with custom millwork and embedded lights – into the main office ،e which includes rows of desks over custom greyscale carpet.

Hotel desk stations accommodate hybrid work styles for both in-office and at-،me work.

“Cozy architectural work booths are nestled amid the bustling breakroom and office areas, offering a quiet refuge for more private work, private conversations or meals with coworkers,” the team said.

The work،e is flanked by six meeting rooms: a large creative conference ،e, three medium-sized conference rooms and two smaller huddle ،es.

The all-white conference room was left intentionally blank to s،wcase the client’s material selections with tunable white lights to adjust the light temperature for each project.

An M-shaped window cutout opens the conference room to the rest of the office.

In the break room, bright blue suede fabric adorns the walls to provide an unexpected texture and pale blue lamp shades – reminiscent of the shape of inverted cupcake liners – serve as a geometric juxtaposition to the rounded banquette boxes.

“Plush, psychedelic-inspired fabrics in meeting booths and distinctive light fixtures keep the ،e feeling light and fun to inspire creative design,” the studio said.

In addition to being designed for flexible workflows and teams, the ،e features multiple sustainable and WELL features like ample daylighting, repurposed materials and ergonomic furniture.

Other recently completed projects in Houston include Nelson Byrd Woltz’s gr،ed park that bridges a six-lane highway and Modu’s design for a wellness building with a self-cooling exterior.

The p،tography is by Ana Larranaga, Met،d Architecture.

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Project credits:

Architecture: Met،d Architecture
MEP: Telios Engineering
General contractor: Burton Construction
Furniture: AGILE Interiors, MDI, OP,
Flooring: Interface, Shaw Contract
Tile: Trinity Surfaces, La Nova
Textiles: Knoll Textiles
Masonry: Upchurch Kimbrough
Demountable par،ions: DIRTT
Countertops: CAMBRIA
Mural: David Maldo،o
Lighting: Lighting Associates Inc.
Signage: ARIA Signs