April 11, 2019
HOUSTON – Metropolis Investment Holdings Inc., owner of Pennzoil Place, and Transwestern Commercial Services (TCS) have partnered with global architecture and design firm Gensler to create a custom installation for the Pennzoil Place atrium at 711 Louisiana St. in Houston. The abstract installation, called Holographic Sky, will celebrate the abundant natural light of the architecturally iconic Pennzoil atrium. The installation will be available for public viewing on Monday, April 8, and a video feed will be streaming at www.pennzoilplace.com.
“The team aims to create an installation using innovative technologies that allow for futuristic forms to be built more easily,” said Angela Palmer, Gensler’s architectural designer who has a passion for artistic digital technology integration. “This can be seen in the amorphous, abstract cloud forms that hover over the lobby entrance.”
Holographic Sky will use dichroic film to manipulate the effect natural light has in the space to create a cascade of color. Taking full advantage of the volume of Pennzoil’s atrium, individuals will be given the experience of being surrounded by light and color.
Other Gensler team members involved in the project include Jordan Gomez, who focuses on high-rise design; Elizabeth Braun, who is passionate about creating unexpected moments of delight; Amber Porterfield, who has the soul of an artist; and Mark Talma, who is interested in redefining the perception of the built environment.
TCS provides leasing and property management services for the 1.4 million-square-foot, Class A high-rise. Pennzoil Place was designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson. In 2014, the building was named the “Most Intelligent Office Building Project” in the 16th annual Commercial Real Estate Digital Innovation Awards ("Digie") competition presented by Realcomm and IBcon. In 2016, the LEED® Gold building was named “The Outstanding Building of the Year” by BOMA’s Houston Chapter and re-certified for LEED Gold® under the Dynamic Plaque platform.
ABOUT METROPOLIS INVESTMENT HOLDINGS INC.
Chicago-based Metropolis Investment Holdings Inc. owns among its U.S. assets a collection of iconic, Class A office towers located in the central business districts of Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco. Additional investment real estate holdings include hotel interests, a downtown retail mall, multiple parking facilities and urban developable land.
ABOUT TRANSWESTERN COMMERCIAL SERVICES
Transwestern Commercial Services (TCS) is a privately held real estate firm of collaborative entrepreneurs who deliver a higher level of personalized service and innovative client solutions. Applying a consultative approach to Agency Leasing, Asset Services, Occupier Solutions, Capital Markets and Research, our fully integrated global organization adds value for investors, owners and occupiers of all commercial property types. We leverage market insight and operational expertise from across the Transwestern enterprise, which includes firms specializing in development and real estate investment management. TCS has
34 U.S. offices and assists clients from more than 200 offices in 37 countries through strategic alliances with France-based BNP Paribas Real Estate and Canada-based Devencore. Experience Extraordinary at transwestern.com and @Transwestern.
ABOUT GENSLER
Gensler is a global architecture, design, and planning firm with 48 locations and more than 6,000 professionals networked across Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Founded in 1965, the firm serves more than 3,500 active clients in virtually every industry. Gensler designers strive to make the places people live, work, and play more inspiring, more resilient, and more impactful. Gensler’s Houston office is located in downtown at Pennzoil Place and has been offering its design, consulting and architecture services since 1972. Recent accolades: Glassdoor Best Places to Work 2019, Houston Chronicle Best Places to Work 2018; Fast Company “Most Innovative Companies 2018”, NEWH Top Interior Design Firm 2018; AIA Houston Firm of the Year 2017; Forbes “America’s Best Midsize Employers” 2017, Architectural Record #1 Architecture Firm 2017, Interior Design “Most Admired Firm” 2017.
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