Ziegler Cooper Architects

09/03/2026

Private clubs have long been centers for recreation, dining, and social connection. Today, wellness is becoming an increasingly important part of that experience.

As expectations evolve, spaces dedicated to restoration and recovery are receiving the same level of attention once reserved for traditional hospitality environments. Materiality, lighting, comfort, and atmosphere all contribute to how members experience these spaces and how they connect to the broader identity of the club.

The Briar Club Wellness Building reflects this shift, creating environments designed to support wellbeing as an integral part of the member experience.

09/01/2026

Good design often feels effortless.

While finishes and furnishings may draw immediate attention, the success of a workplace is often found in less visible decisions: how spaces connect, how daylight moves through the floorplate, how teams interact, and how people experience the workplace throughout the day.

This project reflects a planning-first approach, where clarity, flexibility, and thoughtful detailing work together to create an environment that feels both refined and enduring.

08/28/2026

While stone, concrete, wood, and steel define the physical boundaries of a worship space, light defines how it is experienced.

For centuries, architects have used stained glass to shape daylight into something more meaningful. Beyond its visual beauty, light creates atmosphere, encourages reflection, reinforces important focal points, and transforms the sanctuary throughout the day and across the seasons.

Through projects including the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, and Shrine of the True Cross Catholic Church, we explore how stained glass and daylight continue to shape the worship experience.

Read the full insight here:
https://lnkd.in/geeM-GBh

08/26/2026

Scott Ziegler, AIA, shares his perspective in a recent AIA Architect article, "One Building, Many Lives," on the design challenges of vertical urbanism. At its core, however, the broader question facing architects, developers and civic leaders is not simply how to build taller buildings, but how to create vertical mixed-use buildings that foster community, enhance the public realm, and create lasting value for the communities they serve.

Read the article: https://www.aia.org/aia-architect/article/one-building-many-lives

08/25/2026

Some of the most successful workplace renovations are not about reinventing a building, but revealing new potential within it. At Williams Tower, the repositioning of the lobby, lounge, and skybridge spaces refreshed the tenant experience while building upon the architectural character that has made the tower a Houston landmark for decades.

Rather than concealing the tower's original design, the renovation embraced it. Existing pink Texas granite was preserved, while new features drew inspiration from Philip Johnson's landmark architecture. Backlit glass panels, waterjet-cut stainless-steel screens, and custom lighting installations reinterpret elements of the building's iconic fa?ade, creating a contemporary tenant experience rooted in the tower's identity.

The transformation extends to the skybridge, where a new coffee bar and lounge overlooking Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park encourage tenants and visitors to pause, connect, and enjoy the space beyond their daily path of travel.

Thoughtful interior renovations that build on a building's existing strengths can enhance tenant experience, reinforce identity, and help iconic assets remain relevant in a changing market.
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08/07/2026

A meaningful day in Houston as the Debre Selam Medhane Alem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) community celebrated the groundbreaking of its future cathedral. Ziegler Cooper Architects is honored to be part of a project that will serve generations through worship, fellowship, and community. Congratulations to the congregation on this historic milestone and the beginning of a sacred space that will support faith, tradition, and gathering for years to come.

Stephanie Kaup, Bailey Wachowski his wife Fernanda Reyes Wachowski attended on behalf of ZCA.

08/07/2026

07/29/2026

Vertical urbanism is only half of the equation. The other half? Placemaking.

At the Ritz Carlton Hotel & Residences in Houston, we aren’t just stacking 156 hotel rooms and 112 residences to maximize land efficiency. We are designing an active, high-density vertical mixed-use residence that brings people together. That is how you turn a singular footprint into a landmark destination.
🔗 Read full insights on vertical urbanism and land efficiency here: https://www.zieglercooper.com/news-and-press/the-realities-of-vertical-urbanism

07/27/2026

Reinterpreting sacred traditions for today’s congregation.

Designing the chapel at First Baptist Church Pasadena meant balancing classic basilica forms with the practical needs of a modern community.

Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/gBXjHFCT

07/22/2026

Refreshing Existing Assets for a New Generation of Tenants

As tenant expectations continue to evolve, many office owners are finding that repositioning existing assets can be just as impactful as new construction. At Wells Fargo Plaza, a comprehensive renovation transformed an existing floor into a full-floor spec suite designed to attract today's tenants.

The renovation highlighted the building's existing architectural character rather than concealing it. Original design elements inspired new workplace features, from reinterpreted coffered ceilings to exposed structural K-bracing that creates unique moments throughout common areas and tenant spaces.

Designed as a full-floor spec suite, the goal was to create a flexible, neutral environment that would appeal to a wide range of tenants while delivering memorable experiences where they matter most—reception spaces, conference rooms, and workplace amenities.

Thoughtful renovations that respect a building's identity can help extend asset life, enhance tenant appeal, and position existing properties for long-term success in a changing market.
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