Architecture Center Houston (ArCH) cultivates public appreciation for architecture and its effect on the human experience through design-focused programming. ArCH offers architectural tours, K-12 educational programs, community events, lectures, a film program & festival, and exhibitions. The programs address a wide range of audiences and celebrate Houston’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. Each year, ArCH programs benefit over 4,500 individuals and continue to grow in size, diversity and reach.

ArCH shares a home with the Houston’s Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA HoustAon) whose members volunteer their time and expertise to produce the public programs that allow ArCH to serve as the destination for experiencing and understanding architecture and design in Greater Houston. The transformative work of ArCH is also possible due to prolific collaborations with more than 40 local schools, more than 100 industry allies, the city’s historic preservation community, city and county government, local nonprofits, and the Houston’s media outlets.

Our new. space at 902 Commerce is located just a block away from Allen’s Landing, the site of Houston’s founding. WAe occupy the ground floor of the 1906 B.A. Riesner building in the historic Market Square district in Downtown Houston. During Hurricane Harvey, the new space flooded with four feet of water and had to be entirely rebuilt. Thanks to the generosity of AIA members, industry allies, charitable foundations and individual donors, ArCH was able to raise funds for the rebuild and begin construction. To protect the building from the future flooding events, a cutting-edge flood mitigation system was designed. In its new home, ArCH serves as a demonstration space for architectural resiliency and sustainability.

ArCH was established in 2006 as a public-facing component of Houston Architecture Foundation to offer public programs in pursuit of the organizational mission. Until 2017, it operated from Bayou Place II in Houston’s Theater District. ArCH’s original space was also used for collaborations and programs by local nonprofits, including Rice Design Alliance, Preservation Houston, METRO, Houston Chapter of the Association of General Contractors, Rice University, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, FotoFest, City of Houston and Houston MOD.