Houston House and Home - Index

Houston House and Home - houstonhouseandhome - Index

houston past & present | IDESON BUILDING
A new exhibit/reception hall is part of the restoration plans for the Julia Ideson Building. Rendering courtesy Gensler
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An archival research and reading room is part of the 24,500-square-foot expansion
underway at the Julia Ideson Building. Rendering courtesy Gensler
the use of indigenous plant materials along with recycled and low-emitting
materials during construction are just a few of the key components
that will help the project achieve LEED certification.
Spearheading this progressive project are the architectural firm
Gensler, led by Houston architect and historian Barry Moore, and the
landscape architecture firm TBG Partners, which was responsible for
restoring the grounds of the Texas State Capitol and Austin’s Laguna
Gloria art museum. The construction manager for both the new wing
and the restoration is SpawMaxwell. Gensler and TBG Partners have collaborated
to develop a plan that reflects the Ideson’s Spanish Renaissance
style and open spaces while preserving the architectural integrity of the
building.
house& home | February 2009 | house andhomeonline.com
“The distinctive smell of old books, the touch of rare documents, set
amongst the Ideson’s ornate tiles and carvings, evokes an overwhelming
sensation of historic significance,” says Barry Moore, senior associate at
Gensler.
NEW PLANS FOR KEY HOLDINGS
The Ideson’s Houston Metropolitan Research Center holds the collective
memory of Houston. Without it we would not know who we are. Its
invaluable holdings include some 7,000 rare children’s books; a 1615
edition of Don Quixote and first editions of Moby Dick and Alice in
Wonderland; 125,000 architectural drawings; four million photographic
images of life in Houston and the area dating back to the mid-1800s;
and more than 300 extraordinary maps, including the first map of
Houston. These archival holdings and attendant facilities for researchers
will move to high-density shelving areas in the new wing — opening up
the inspiring grand rooms of the original building for exhibits meetings
and special events.
MAJOR DONORS
A Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, a City of Houston Protected
Landmark, a Texas State Archaeological Landmark and a site listed in the
National Register of Historic Places, the Ideson displays distinctive architecture
and decoration that has been preserved throughout the years, but
is in critical need of the expansion and restoration this project envisions.
This is a public/private partnership, as the city of Houston has pledged
$10 million in support, and its General Services and Library departments
are working hand-in-hand with the Julia Ideson Library Preservation
Partners. In addition to the city’s support, major gifts for the project
received to date include donations from Phoebe and Bobby Tudor and
Joseph D. Jamail Jr. and grants from The Brown Foundation Inc.,
Houston Endowment Inc. and the Cullen Foundation.