LOCATION

Houston, Texas

SIZE

80,000 sf

EXPERTISE

Interior Architecture

Brand Experience Design

Signage & Wayfinding

Workplace Strategy

Furniture Services

Art Services

Port Houston’s new administrative headquarters brings nearly 300 employees together in a six-story workplace at East River, creating a more transparent and flexible environment for how their teams operate today and into the future.

The move shifts the organization from a previously disconnected office into a centralized hub designed to support collaboration, efficiency, and a stronger sense of community. As the nation’s largest port by waterborne tonnage, Port Houston plays a critical role in global logistics and the Houston economy. The new headquarters reflects that scale while reinforcing its deep ties to the city.

Modern interior of a lobby or waiting area with gray polished floors, white walls, and seating with chairs in red, blue, and gray. The wall behind has framed artwork and a quote about the city's history. Wood and black accents are present, and there's a high ceiling with recessed lighting.

Rooted In Connection and Legacy

The design was grounded in connection. Early visioning sessions and employee input revealed a strong sense of pride, legacy, and responsibility to both the Port and the community it serves.

Those insights shaped a workplace that brings people together while honoring the organization’s history—balancing forward-looking flexibility with a deep respect for where the Port has been.

Modern office break room with seating area, glass walls, large windows, and a kitchenette with wooden cabinets and blue tiles.

Designed as a point of convergence, shared spaces anchor each floor and encourage interaction across teams.

Modern office space with large windows, a conference table, chairs, and a person walking through

Designed for How Teams Work Today

A flexible planning strategy replaced siloed departments with a more open, connected layout. Central work lounges on each floor create natural moments for interaction, while large meeting environments with operable walls allow spaces to expand and adapt for both internal collaboration and public-facing commission meetings.

The result is a workplace that supports day-to-day efficiency while allowing for growth and change over time.

Interior of an office or lobby space with a woman walking towards the camera, blurred, with large window showing cityscape, wooden paneling, white walls, framed artwork, a white shelf with books and a potted plant.

A corridor that brings teams together through movement and visibility.

Modern lounge area with tan sofa, blue armchair, coffee tables, wall art, and kitchenette with wood cabinets and blue tiled backsplash.

A space designed for teams to pause, connect, and recharge.

Modern lobby with a large glass wall featuring a logo and text for Houston, Texas. The area includes a reception desk with lighting, a wood-paneled ceiling, and white walls with an open view to the outside landscape.

A Story Told Through the Space

Moments of storytelling are woven throughout the project. A monumental glass seal, discovered mid-project by a Port employee, anchors the double-height lobby and serves as a powerful symbol of the Port’s history.

Integrated graphics, artifacts, and curated materials draw from the textures and industries of the Houston Ship Channel—balancing industrial influences with warmer, more approachable elements.

Modern, well-lit communal kitchen and dining area with round tables, blue and white chairs, a large kitchen island with bar stools, a wall-mounted TV, wooden cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and black ceiling panels with integrated lighting.

Central breakroom designed for connection and collaboration.

Modern office workspace with individual cubicles, black chairs, and a large window view of city buildings.

Open workplace designed for focus and flexibility.

Modern balcony overlooking a river with trees and clouds in the sky, featuring black railings, some lounge chairs, a table, and potted plants.

A Foundation for What’s Next

Transparency guided the design at every level, shaping a workplace that invites visibility, engagement, and connection both within the organization and with the community it serves. From open boardrooms to shared spaces that anchor each floor, the environment supports collaboration, movement, and moments to pause throughout the day. The result is a workplace built for how teams operate today, while carrying forward the legacy of one of Houston’s most important institutions.

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