Houston Arboretum
Houston, Texas
The Houston Arboretum, established in 1951 within Memorial Park, has faced numerous challenges over the decades, from urban expansion to extreme weather conditions. Originally spanning 265 acres, the arboretum lost 110 acres to highway development, including the construction of Woodway Drive and the 610 West Loop, which altered its natural landscape. Further environmental stress came in 2008 with Hurricane Ike and in 2011 with Texas’ worst drought on record, leading to widespread tree mortality and ecological damage.
In response, a sustainable master plan was developed to restore the 155-acre site, ensuring its resilience and enhancing its role as a premier environmental destination. The plan includes a new Visitor’s Center, rental pavilion, and administration building, all designed by Lake | Flato Architects in collaboration with Leslie Elkins. These additions support educational programming, conservation initiatives, and community engagement, reinforcing the arboretum’s mission to preserve Houston’s natural landscape for future generations.
The revitalized Houston Arboretum stands as a beacon of urban conservation, blending ecological sustainability with public accessibility to create a thriving green space in the heart of the city.
Latest projects
Alief Neighborhood Center
The Alief Neighborhood Center is a 71,551 SF LEED-certified facility in Alief Park, housing Health and Human Services, Parks and Recreation, and the Hennington-Alief Regional Library. The $52 million center includes a WIC office, multipurpose rooms, fitness areas, sports fields, an art garden, and an outdoor pool, making it Houston’s first multi-service facility of its kind.
See project
Arts & Media Building – Texas A&M Corpus Christi
The 72,000 SF Arts & Media Building at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi provides state-of-the-art studios, a performance theater, and rehearsal spaces for students in the School of Arts, Media, & Communication. Strategically located near the Center for the Arts, it fosters collaboration and creative exploration in a cutting-edge academic environment.
See project
Arts Complex & Central Plant – Sam Houston State University
The 71,000 SF Sam Houston State University Arts Complex consolidates dispersed art facilities into a state-of-the-art hub. It includes instructional spaces, studios, galleries, faculty offices, and specialized work areas like kilns, welding stations, and a casting pit. CEG designed the studios with industrial hygiene in mind, optimizing air quality with displacement air and exhaust systems. The project also expanded the East Central Plant for future campus growth.
See project
Belmont Village Senior Living
Belmont Village Senior Living - West Lake Hills, located in Austin, Texas, is a 104,000 SF senior living community offering 141 private apartments and a range of active living options, including Assisted Living and Memory Care. The facility features wellness areas, a fitness center, salt-water swimming pool, restaurant-style dining, and a variety of communal spaces designed for socialization and comfort.
See project
Boyert Shooting Center
Boyert Shooting Center in Houston features a 10-lane indoor shooting range, five shooting simulator rooms, a large retail showroom, and a classroom for firearm training and CHL courses.
See project
Bridgeland Josey Lake Park
Bridgeland Josey Lake Park is a vibrant community space in Cypress, Texas, featuring a three-mile kayaking loop, a two-story birding tower, a boardwalk, a zip line, a pavilion, and an event lawn. Designed to foster connectivity and outdoor engagement, the park also serves as a wildlife habitat with carefully curated native plantings.
See project
Brockman Hall for Opera – Rice University
Brockman Hall for Opera at Rice University is a state-of-the-art performance venue for the Shepherd School of Music. The 94,319 SF facility features the Lucian and Nancy Morrison Theater, rehearsal spaces, private studios, and production areas. Its 600-seat main hall offers superior acoustics, while the LEED Silver Certified design reflects Rice’s commitment to sustainability.
See project
Chinese Community Center
The Chinese Community Center expansion includes a 22,000 SF Senior Building, site upgrades, and a youth activity space. The facility houses adult day care services, a commercial kitchen, meeting rooms, and a performance space, with outdoor areas for seniors and children.
See project