BLUE TRIANGLE
[GENSLER] [SUMMER INTERNSHIP] [2016]
Blue Triangle, initially the primary branch of Houston's YWCA, was established during World War I. The organization sprouted from an urgent need for a safe, central meeting place where women and girls of color could gather, learn, and recreate. Within the building, a mural's value has dwindled from $3 million to $1 million due to the building's deteriorating roof condition.
The project's objectives were to redevelop the Blue Triangle building in stages. The initial phase aimed to enhance the building's critical survival conditions, such as improving the mechanical and electrical systems and repairing the building's walls and roof. There's a necessity to replace the windows with bullet-proof glass as the neighborhood can be unsafe at night. Additional renovations could be carried out in stages as budget becomes available. For instance, altering the entrance to make it more inviting to the community, rearranging classrooms, adding a visitor center that leads to the valuable mural by John T. Biggers, and renovating recreational areas such as the pool and gym. There's also a proposal to replace the old mechanical room with a waiting area for parents and the like.
This project is the culmination of the collective efforts of 14 interns over a ten-week period. We eventually presented the project to a group of fundraisers, including the mayor of Houston. In 2017, the Blue Triangle proposal formally received an RFP from the city of Houston, and plans are underway to bring it to fruition.
Gensler Internship Project 2016
Client: Blue Triangle – Charlotte Bryant, Lucy Bremond, Priscilla Mishew
Website: http://www.the-bluetriangle.org/
Location: Houston, TX
Project Type: Historic Preservation
