On April 24, 2025, Facades+ returned to Houston to explore sustainable, high-performance building enclosures. As co-chairs, Kirksey Architecture Partners Michelle Old and Gary Machicek worked with Architect Newspaper’s team to curate a group of esteemed colleagues to highlight global innovations and local architectural excellence.
This year’s symposium addressed Houston’s unique architectural challenges, emphasizing adaptive reuse, innovative glazing, and climate-responsive design to meet the city’s resilience and energy performance goals. Speakers from Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Skanksa, RIOS, HOK, Rebees, the University of Houston, and Texas A&M University shared their diverse expertise in sustainable construction and academic perspectives on innovative facade approaches.
Highlights of the informative day included presentations on the transformative adaptive reuse at Green Street Houston, Kirksey’s work shaping education facilities across Texas, crafting innovative mixed-use luxury at The Allen, and outlining cutting-edge sustainability at The Norton Rose Fulbright Tower.
“Conferences like Facade+ are so important because they build connections,” said Kirksey co-chair, Michelle Old. “By sharing best practices, collaborating, and engaging in discussions, we strengthen our industry’s commitment to building stronger, more adaptive communities.”
Beyond the presentations, the conference allowed attendees to engage with cutting-edge products and technology at the Methods & Materials expo. Networking over meals, cocktails, and structured activities throughout the day forged and reinforced meaningful connections among architects, engineers, and manufacturers.
“Days like we had at Facades+ reinvigorate the passion we share for the industry and our city,” Kirksey Architecture Co-chair, Gary Machicek said. “Hearing from so many thoughtful and inventive designers about technology and sustainability gives me confidence that Houston’s urban landscape can continue to meet any challenge.”
We at Kirksey would like to thank all the speakers, attendees, sponsors, and partners at Architect Newspaper for making the day a huge success. We’re inspired by the collective commitment to enhancing building performance and sustainability at a critical time for both. We look forward to continuing this dialogue and putting lessons into practice in Houston and beyond.