The Office, Pennzoil Place And Drift: The Information Age

The Houston Central Business District (CBD) is overwhelmed by existing tow-ers that consist of class “A” offic e space. Petroleum companies initially occupied these buildings, such as Pennzoil Place, developed by the real estate investment firm Hines. The recommendation proposed is an unconventional mixed-use program that redevelops the present Penn-zoil Place. As a response to the problem, the recommended design concept hinges on the existence of a flower or nature. The flower concept opposes the oil industry, plus the fascination with petroleum as a pri-mary fuel source since the Industrial Era. Moreover, the concept disrupts the oil and gas industry’s bond to class “A” off ice space. The existence of nature is not permanent. Similarly, class “A” office space and pe-troleum as a primary energy source do not eff ectively serve the Information Age compared to the last age. A mixed-use highrise design creates a living, working, and entertaining environment in one space that can be scaled and duplicated throughout the CBD. This solution will transform Houston’s downtown into an interactive space re-gardless of time, crisis, and economic condition. This approach will produce a more successful use of space which is the purpose of architecture in every age.