On April 24, The Architect’s Newspaper will  return to Houston for a Facades+ conference. AN collaborated with Michelle Old and Gary Machieck of Kirksey Architecture at this year’s event to assemble a program that reflects the unique architectural character of Houston and the pressing conversations within the industry. The conference will feature discussions and case studies highlighting Houston’s most-innovative architecture and dynamic conversations on cutting-edge design and key issues shaping the AEC community. Click here for more details and registration. GreenStreet Houston is an urban development (Courtesy RIOS) Innovative Urban Revival: Adaptive Reuse & Face Enhancement for Placemaking The day’s first session will dive into the transformation of urban spaces through the lens of adaptive reuse, spotlighting GreenStreet Houston as a central case study. Mark Motonaga, partner and creative director at RIOS; and Matt Ragan, managing director of repositionings at Rebees, will discuss how repurposing existing structures supports sustainable urban development by minimizing environmental impact and preserving architectural character. A focus of the conversation will be reimagining building facades to enhance placemaking; energize pedestrian activity; improve leasing performance; and boost energy efficiency, aesthetics, and occupant comfort. Motonaga and Ragan will share cutting-edge innovations in placemaking, materials, and design strategies that redefine downtown Houston’s streetscape and contribute to a more dynamic, sustainable urban core. Facades as Story-Tellers: Creating Narratives through Building Skin Design Next is a spotlight on Kirksey’s latest educational work, emphasizing the critical role of the facade in expressing a building’s story. In this session, co-chairs Michelle Old and Gary Machicek will explore how facade design is driven by creative inspiration, contextual sensitivity, and high-performance strategies that can enhance aesthetic identity and support environmental responsiveness and user comfort. Featured projects include Prairie View A&M University’s Fabrication Center, The Branch School’s Hightower Middle School, and Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School. Each project showcases how the facade serves as a visual statement and a responsive interface that reflects the unique needs and values of its users and community. The Allen’s facade mimics the bayou’s curves. (Courtesy HOK) Redefining Urban Elegance with Innovative Cutting Edge Facade: The Allen Up next is a presentation by members of HOK and DC Partners on The Allen, a 6-acre mixed-use development located just west of downtown Houston along Buffalo Bayou Park. Inspired by its natural surroundings, The Allen features sleek, contoured building forms that echo the organic flow of the nearby bayou. Elevated terraces and ground-level patios seamlessly connect the development to the park’s trails and greenways, enhancing its integration with the landscape. At the heart of the design is a customized cladding system, ShapeShell™ RT facade rainscreen—the first of its kind in the United States. It unifies the retail pavilion and tower podium with a dynamic, undulating aesthetic that mimics the bayou’s curves. The tower’s multi-material facade further emphasizes the stacked program components while delivering both cost-efficiency and energy performance. Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Facades: An Academic Perspective The day’s roundtable will focus on emerging research from leading Texas institutions. Professors Mili Kyropoulou of the University of Houston and Ahmed K. Ali of Texas A&M University will discuss how academic research is crucial in driving innovation in sustainable facade design, material science, energy efficiency, and environmental impact. Focusing on biomimetic materials and responsive facade systems that help advance computational modeling, the panelists will explore how bridging the gap between theory and practice offers valuable insights to create the next generation of architects, engineers, and developers of our future buildings. 1550 on the Green balances natural light and energy efficiency. (Courtesy Skanska) 1550 on the Green: Blending Sustainability and Design in Houston’s Skyline The day’s final session will feature presenters Martin Voelkle from Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Ben Llanda from Skanska, will discuss 1550 on the Green, Houston’s new 28-story mixed-use building. The tower is a striking example of sustainable, high-performance architecture. Its sleek glass facade enhances visual impact, maximizes natural light, and reduces energy consumption. The tower is situated adjacent to Discovery Green and strengthens the connection between urban development and green space. The panel will discuss how high-performance glazing, metal paneling, and vertical fins are combined to achieve a refined aesthetic while improving solar shading and energy efficiency. The complex exemplifies the future of environmentally conscious design in Houston. Attendees will also have plenty of time to explore the Methods + Materials gallery, showcasing innovations from 24 leading building product companies.