A contemporary cultural landmark, the Ismaili Center Houston sits at the intersection of Allen Parkway and Montrose Boulevard.
The center consists of a new 169,000-square-foot (15,701-square-metre) structure with a below-grade parking garage on the 11-acre (4-hectare) site. Situated adjacent to Buffalo Bayou and within a flood zone, the building is elevated above the floodplain. The surrounding privacy wall allows water to flow through during high-water events, helping to reduce flooding in neighboring areas.
We were responsible for providing the test and balance services for the air and water systems serving the building. This is a complex balance project due to the open architecture, with ceiling heights over 60 feet (18 metres). The systems are also complex with modern energy recovery systems and water-cooled chiller systems.
Our team also performed a design review, device and sensor calibration verification, and domestic hot water balance for this project. The first Ismaili Center in the United States, the building evokes classical Persian design and has multiple verandas and gardens. It’s a space where Ismaili Muslims gather for worship, conversations take place between spiritual leaders of multiple faiths, and social events and scholarly lectures are held.
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