Working Shop
Site-specific installation
The Ryan Middle School Working Shop project brought together twelve fourth-year
undergraduate students from the College of Architecture and four graduate students
from the School of Art’s Graphic Communications Program. Through research, design
development, and fabrication, the collaborative team created a historical exhibition
housed in the school’s former woodworking shop, located in the heart of Houston’s
Third Ward.
The exhibition highlights the people, businesses, and institutions that have shaped the
development and long-term vitality of the Third Ward—one of Houston’s most historically
and culturally significant communities.
Beyond its design challenges, the project provided students with a valuable opportunity
to practice their craft, collaborate across disciplines, and exchange constructive criticism
with their peers. It also created a platform for participants to learn about the Third Ward’s
vibrant social and cultural history, honor the struggles and achievements of its residents,
and contribute to the preservation of the community’s legacy.
The scale and complexity of the project encouraged students and community members
to build meaningful relationships based on a deeper understanding and appreciation of
their diverse experiences. Personal memories were shared with pride, ideas for the future
emerged, and new collaborations were formed.
By crossing geographic, cultural, and ethnic boundaries, the project demonstrated how
design can help connect individual communities and contribute to a more cohesive
global society. It showed that when people work together, they can address shared
challenges, preserve important histories, and create lasting solutions.
I was also recognized for an out standing achievement for the work I did at the Ryan
Middle School from The local congress woman (Sheila Lee Jackson) as well as having this
work featured on the local ABC news program. (05/2012)
Ryan Middle School Exhibition:: 2011
Working Shop
Site-specific installation
The Ryan Middle School Working Shop project brought together twelve fourth-year
undergraduate students from the College of Architecture and four graduate students
from the School of Art’s Graphic Communications Program. Through research, design
development, and fabrication, the collaborative team created a historical exhibition
housed in the school’s former woodworking shop, located in the heart of Houston’s
Third Ward.
The exhibition highlights the people, businesses, and institutions that have shaped the
development and long-term vitality of the Third Ward—one of Houston’s most historically
and culturally significant communities.
Beyond its design challenges, the project provided students with a valuable opportunity
to practice their craft, collaborate across disciplines, and exchange constructive criticism
with their peers. It also created a platform for participants to learn about the Third Ward’s
vibrant social and cultural history, honor the struggles and achievements of its residents,
and contribute to the preservation of the community’s legacy.
The scale and complexity of the project encouraged students and community members
to build meaningful relationships based on a deeper understanding and appreciation of
their diverse experiences. Personal memories were shared with pride, ideas for the future
emerged, and new collaborations were formed.
By crossing geographic, cultural, and ethnic boundaries, the project demonstrated how
design can help connect individual communities and contribute to a more cohesive
global society. It showed that when people work together, they can address shared
challenges, preserve important histories, and create lasting solutions.
I was also recognized for an out standing achievement for the work I did at the Ryan
Middle School from The local congress woman (Sheila Lee Jackson) as well as having this
work featured on the local ABC news program. (05/2012)
Ryan Middle School Exhibition:: 2011