Sahni’s Projects Shine Among Houston Architecture
Last updated: June 25, 2009
 HOUSTON: “It is the first time that we do something like this for the local architects’” said Alejandro Martinez, publisher of 002+ magazine as he flashed a smile. He was referring to the reception held last Wednesday, June 18 at the Kuhl Linscomb Design and Lifestyle store at 2424 West Alabama where 20 area architects were honored for their projects in the Bayou City. Among them, and the only one featured in the June issue of the magazine, was a local Indo-American, Randhir “Randi” Sahni, President of Llewelyn-Davies Sahni, a Planning, Urban Design and Architecture firm that he has managed since 1978. Sahni is the first of many architects that will be so featured in the magazine. In the article, reprinted below by permission of 002+, Sahni spoke about the life experiences that forged his style of architecture and his vision of urban design and renewal.
What drove you to Architecture? What do you love most about it?
The profession gives me the ability to influence as well as shape, the urban environment. I love trying to figure out “ what makes cities tick”.
What drove you to “Green” Architect ure?
We were “green” before “green” became fashionable. - In 1979 we worked on post oak park, a 42- acre development planned for over 4 million square feet in UPTOWN with over four acres of open space.
In 1981 we worked on the master plan of Houston Center, a 12-city block complex with Discovery Green Park as its epicenter. Precepts include: a walking, mixed-use complex of 12 million square feet with housing, workplace, hotels, convention facilities and necessary attendant functions.
From 1980-1994 we worked on Ben Taub Hospital and the LBJ replacement hospitals in the Texas Medical Center and focused our efforts on energy consumption, water retention, the use of mass transportation, medical equipment recycling, compact efficient 850,000 SF and 420,000 SF buildings on 11-and 20-acre sites.
In 1985, we worked on the plans for the residential development around lake Woodlands.
In 1991 we worked on the UPTOWN/ Galleria master plan to bring the light rail through the area and reduce the use of automobiles.
In 2002, we worked on environmentally sensitive flood for The University of Texas Health Science Center within the Texas Medical Center.
In 2003 until 2005 we worked on the Image Plan of both Houston airports.
From 2005 to the present we’ve been working on environmentally sensitive development of Houston Community College campuses.
What do you love most about it?
Providing for quality urban growth while having the least impact of a growing population on the environment.
Current Projects: Texas Southern University-Technology Building, Houston Community College-Star Plaza, Ed Wulfe-Tx- DOT - Redo of the Gulfgate Pedestrian Bridge over Loop-610, infrastructure and image work for HCC.
Recent Project s: Buffalo Bayou Walk, Bush and Hobby airport master plans and image plans, Downtown Houston Theatre District Master Plan, City of Houston- Central Water Testing Facility.
So, thinking back to the drawings your mother had up on the refrigerator when you were in elementary school...What were they?
We didn’t have a refrigerator when I was growing up. Instead, we got our cool water from am earthen pot. I didn’t have time to draw as a child. I was away at boarding school in India from the time I was 9 years old and was on a very regimented schedule which didn’t allow for time to “draw”.
How did you come to live/ work in Houston and why have you chosen to make this your home?
I came to Houston to attend Rice University and was admitted to the first group of 10 students for the Master of Architecture in Urban Design. Houston was, at that time and still is, a laboratory for urban development-no lomitation, no zoning restrictions-it attempts to answer the question what does something want to be. I chose to stay in Houston because I appreciate Houston’s high level of acceptibility and unique way of thinking. Houston is a very unique city. No zoning, and only recently a sense of urbanism, lacking in true historic preservation and plenty of “Cookie Cutter” construct ion.
How do you design around this?
Not so! The Bayou Plan prepared in the 1920s attempted to give the city a form.
Tell us about your Home...
I have designed my last two homes. House #1- On a 8000 SF lot introverted. No windows; skylight in atrium. All rooms have 12’ wide glass opening into an atrium-resulting in year-round moderated ambient temperature. Simple Use Available Technology. House #2- On a 1.2 acre lot with 100+ trees in City of Piney Point. The house design is extraverted. Zoned AC by floor. All romms with extensive glass which is shaded by tree cover in summer and rooms exposed to sun during winter resulting in extensive sunlight in evey room and lower ambient temperature throughout the house. Simple Use Available Technology House construction completed in 120 days.
Tell us about the “Green Elements” in your own home.
No irrigation, no trees cut; 18” overhangs; use of renewable material- wood floors/ structure/ exterior; higher EER, natural light; storm water retention; preservation of habitat-snakes, rabbits, birds, owls, raccoons, armadillos.
Itc hing to work on?
A project with the listed percepts. New urban center that takes into consideration the changing fixes: social equalization, information adaptability, respect for the living, respect for natural resources, minimal intervention into nature, conservation of energy.
What stamp or idea do you want to leave on the world and why?
Gaudi-like legacy, Barcelona, Spain
Best place in Houston to hang out?
My house
How can children be encouraged to appreciate architecture?
By giving them opportunities to understand and comprehend why we build.
What can the next Mayor focus on to help make Houston more environmentally friendly?
Among other things, treat the bayous as a unique form giver, open space, manage METRO’s improvements, encourage the electric car by creating special paths as was done for bicycles during the Lanier Administration.
If you were Head of the Department of Energy, what alternative sources of energy would you focus on?
Bio from waste, nuclear, wind and sea
If you had to live off the land, where would you live?
North Texas, Southern Colorado or California
What are some of your outstanding projects that you cherish?
Ben Taub General Acute Care Hospital: This public hospital is one of the largest public hospitals in the country and having worked as the Architect-of-record, I believe is a great honor. This project was completed at a cost of $87 million.
-Redevelopment of downtown CBD San Antonio is of significant importance as it is one of the most visited cities in the US.I was the Principal-in-change and the firm was responsible for the Design management of this 40-block project. This award winning project was completed at a cost of $0 million.
- Galleria Christmas Lighting
- The Light spikes at Bush Intercontinental Airport. The design and execution of this sculpture which has become a symbol of Houston was initiated by and paid for by my firm as a gesture of goodwill to our great city of Houston.
During your tenure as the council member/Mayor of Piney Point, what progress/changes were you able to make for Piney point?
As a councilman (1) I helped in the concept planning and design of reforestation of the Memorial Drive ROW with over 300-trees; as a result the city has been designated Tree city USA, 2-years in a row. I managed the largest capital improvement project in the history of the City of Piney Point Village - the Soldiers Creek Flood Abatement Project. This project was completed within budget and on schedule.
With the perspectives you have know, what changes would you recommend in the way architecture is taught?
-Architecture schools over emphasize design and forget the Golden Rule – “He who owns the gold makes the rules.”
-An architect needs to know that Capital is the most important element that makes or breaks a project.
-A must for every Architect is to understand “Capital Formation.’
Why people invest and part with their money willingly?
If you were to build a monument for Houston: do you have any ideas or anything in mind as what it would be?
We are privileged to be designing a plaza called the Star Plaza, which will form the foreground of The San Jacinto Building in Midtown in the HCC Central Campus –birthplace of University of Houston; HISD and HCC. The central feature is a replica of the San Jacinto Monument; the actual monument sits at the birthplace of Texas.
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