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The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building, a home for international contemporary art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is clad in translucent glass tubes — which is only one of many poetic touches that architect Steven Holl situated throughout the project. In this case, it also doubles as a sustainability feature, reducing solar gain by 70 per cent.

The soaring lobby looks out in all directions onto lush native vegetation, while the gallery ceilings have suspended cloud-like forms that channel and filter sunlight, illuminating the space without overwhelming it. At night, the gallery glows like a beacon, reflecting light onto the water gardens that adorn the property.

Team Steven Holl with Larry Burns (Kendall/ Heaton Associates), Matthew Snellgrove (Legends), Guy Nordenson (Guy Nordenson and Associates), Tan Tran (Cardno), Igor Bienstock (ICOR Associates), Erik Olsen (Transsolar), Hervé Descottes (L’Observatoire International), Steve Ryan (Venue Cost Consultants) and Tom Reiner (Knippers Helbig)

AZ Awards 2021 Finalist: Nancy and Rich Kinder Building

The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building, a home for international contemporary art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is clad in translucent glass tubes — which is only one of many poetic touches that architect Steven Holl situated throughout the project.

Explore more Award Winners

2016
People’s ChoiceBuildings Over 1,000SqM
Location
Porto, Portugal
Firm
Luís Pedro Silva Arquitecto, Portugal
2023
Award of MeritBuildings Over 1,000SqM
Location
Houston, U.S.
Firm
Kevin Daly Architects, U.S.
2025
Award of MeritBuildings Over 1,000SqM
Location
Stockholm, Sweden
Firm
3XN, Denmark
Photos
Robin Hayes