Design Awards Pile High for Texas' Greenest Commercial Office Building

HOUSTON - May 15, 2015 - PRLog -- While the TreeHouse Memorial City has gained publicity for its eco-friendly strategies, earning double LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) with 95 points, it is also stealing the attention of many spectators and members of the architectural and engineering industry due to its whimsical, tree house-style design. This month, the innovative commercial building receives two more awards of distinction: the Commercial Sustainable Design award and Landmark Award for Best Workplace Interior.

(Project specs and images available here: http://studioredarchitects.com/treehouse-memorial-city)

Studio RED Architects was awarded the Commercial Sustainable Design award at the third annual PaperCity Design Awards for the design of the TreeHouse Memorial City. PaperCity, with The Houston Design Center, celebrates design innovation through the annual awards program and selected award-recipients from over 180 submissions in 17 categories. Studio RED was honored among the other recipients in an invitation-only event at the Houston Design Center on Tuesday, April 7.

"It was a real treat to be recognized by a publication like PaperCity," says Pete Ed Garrett, Partner, Studio RED Architects. "The magazine celebrates fresh style and local trendsetters in interior design, and we're happy to be included in that group."

Just two days later, the Houston Business Journal (HBJ) named the TreeHouse the winner of the Best Workplace Interior in the 2015 Landmark Awards, Special Project Category. HBJ's annual Landmark Awards recognize real estate projects that make a significant impression on the Houston landscape and improve the look, feel and image of the city. Award-winning projects are marked by excellence in land planning, design, construction, economics, marketing and management.

"The building also has a lot to offer the surrounding community," says Garrett. "One feature that is present to the community is an interactive wall that provides guests with insight into the transformation of this thriving area."

The interactive wall system serves as an illustrative tool for children and adults, outlining the TreeHouse's sustainable features and pioneering space. The site is connected to the rest of the Memorial City campus by pedestrian and bike paths, promoting a healthier, interactive lifestyle for employees and visitors alike. The TreeHouse interior's flexible design allows for an innovative work atmosphere for employees, tenants, consultants, and investors. Lifting large overhead doors, flying walls, and rotating screens create more open social areas for events.

"We're excited to see how the community adopts the TreeHouse, and especially thrilled for the client, MetroNational to be able to work and entertain in such an energizing environment," Garrett says. "We expect many more accolades for this design to come."

In 2014, Studio RED Architects was also awarded Best Green Project in Texas and Louisiana by Engineering News Record (ENR) for the 10-month delivery of the TreeHouse Memorial City project. Watch the project overview video released by the firm here: https://youtu.be/-nCPWF9EsuU



ABOUT STUDIO RED ARCHITECTS

Studio RED Architects is a Houston-based architectural firm with a reputation for design and 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 Double Platinum TreeHouse Memorial City, LEED Gold award-winning City of Houston Permitting Center and LEED Silver award-winning Amazing Place.

ABOUT METRONATIONAL'S TREEHOUSE MEMORIAL CITY

TreeHouse Memorial City was created for the Houston-based, privately held real estate investment, development and management company, MetroNational. TreeHouse Memorial City serves as a place of creativity and networking for employees, potential tenants, consultants and investors. With a score of 95 points, this project has achieved LEED® for Building Design and Construction: Core and Shell Development (LEED® BD+C: Core and Shell) at the Platinum Level, marking this project as the highest credit point total in Texas, and the second highest in the U.S. for this rating system. In addition, The TreeHouse received LEED® for Interior Design and Construction (LEED® ID+C) at the Platinum Level.