Houston, TX—The Rice School of Architecture proudly announces that Assistant Professor Georgina Baronian and her firm, clovisbaronian, have been awarded a prestigious AIA Houston Design Award in the “On the Boards” category for their project E33, a mixed-use development located in the Garden City Arts District. Baronian, alongside her design partner Sam Clovis, led the architectural vision for this innovative project, which embodies a forward-thinking approach to urban design while honoring the industrial heritage of its surroundings.
Situated in the rapidly evolving Garden City Arts District, E33 bridges the gap between the area’s industrial past and its transformation into a pedestrian-friendly, medium-density neighborhood. The project includes a contemporary art gallery at street level and four residential units above, offering a vibrant mix of culture and living space.
A standout feature of E33 is the architectural language that defines its aesthetic. The building’s structure is wrapped in a delicate, woven metal mesh, creating a shimmering outer skin that softens the visual impact of the building’s mass while reinterpreting the industrial architecture of nearby warehouses. This mesh drapery introduces depth and dynamic light play across the building, creating a bold visual contrast to the surrounding urban fabric.
The interior design further exemplifies the firm’s commitment to innovative, sustainable living. Each of the residential units integrates three distinct space types—interior conditioned, interior unconditioned, and exterior space—to create a sustainable, medium-density housing solution. Balconies, sunrooms, and roof terraces provide vital outdoor areas in a narrow urban plot, while “sunstairs,” unconditioned yet weatherproof, offer an expanded and energy-efficient form of vertical circulation.
“Winning the AIA Houston award is a tremendous honor for our firm,” Baronian said. “Our aim with E33 was to design a building that not only respects the area’s industrial roots but also envisions a more sustainable, community-oriented future for Garden City.”
Rice School of Architecture Dean Igor Marjanović praised the design, noting the firm’s innovative contribution to architectural practice: “Georgina Baronian’s work with clovisbaronian is a perfect example of the kind of planetary design we champion at the Rice School of Architecture. E33 reflects not only a deep respect for place and context but also a bold vision for the future of urban living. This award is a well-deserved recognition of her team’s commitment to architectural excellence and social responsibility.”
In addition to the clovisbaronian team, E33 also draws on the expertise of Walker Structural Engineers, as well as The Land Group, which served as the project’s civil engineer.