The Expansion Issue
Texas Contemporary™ Monthly: Issue 36
COTERA + REED has joined LEVY DYKEMA
LEVY DYKEMA proudly announces its merger with the esteemed firm COTERA+REED ARCHITECTS. The COTERA+REED team is renowned for its award-winning portfolio and enduring impact across Texas.
Founded in shared values and a focus on architecture that makes a difference, this expansion heralds a new era of innovation and client-centric solutions as LEVY DYKEMA enhances our offerings with the experience of COTERA+REED in civic, municipal, educational, and institutional projects. This merger strengthens LEVY DYKEMA's position as a leader in architectural excellence, increases our impact in the community, and adds even more value for our clients.
Austin Energy District Cooling Plant | Austin, TX
Building Community
Phillip A. Reed, FAIA
It feels like every discussion of architecture today includes an agreement that we need to foster a sense of community. ‘Community’ is rarely really defined and can feel like a pretty low bar, but it's actually wonderful that this important social aspect of design gets so much attention today.
There are at least two ways to "build community," the first being to help existing communities coalesce politically. The other is to inject into the DNA of our built environment physical mechanisms for interaction and shared experience that tend to create new communities spontaneously.
Architecture can be a valuable backdrop in human behavior, manipulating the possibilities for interaction: centralized common spaces equally accessible to everyone - generally with some sort of common ownership or responsibility / a mixture of uses / compact human scale construction. And most of all, walkability. All urban attributes, these concepts work in buildings, too. Small-scale, pre-industrial / pre-auto cities are good models of environments conducive to fostering community. Their arrangement of space, the variety of uses, and the common ownership of the between spaces can translate into both big cities and individual buildings.
As we re-prioritize connection, it's not really that our sense of community is evolving, it's more that we're recognizing some deficiencies created when we industrialized urban development in mid-century. But it's difficult to replicate small-scale at scale. The basic fabric of a city built around the car is hard to change, so most of our interventions so far have had to be small.
Yet, we have made some progress; twenty years ago you couldn't permit a mixed-use building in Austin, and now they are one of the primary drivers of growth.
The LEVY DYKEMA Way, features insights from clients and team members.
This month, we hear from Phil Reed, FAIA, Matt Catterall,
Martha and Juan Cotera, FAIA.
Last month, LEVY DYKEMA Austin studio teamed up with the Green Corn Project for their 'Dig-in' activity, empowering those with limited access to healthy food or disabilities to grow their own. With our design-focused approach, we've ensured a bountiful spring crop that meets all TAS codes, ready for the homeowner to enjoy delicious watermelon, squash, and fresh herbs this season!
The LEVY DYKEMA Corpus Christi Studio recently dedicated time to volunteering with the Coastal Bend Food Bank, lending their support to crucial programs like the kids' backpack initiative and diabetes hands-on self-management programs. It's through such initiatives that we foster stronger, more resilient communities, emphasizing the importance of collective effort in creating a better world for all.
The LEVY DYKEMA Corpus Christi Studio also recently joined local volunteers in a beach clean-up initiative along the Texas coast. The Texas coast is not just a picturesque destination but also a vital ecosystem supporting diverse marine life. Coastal clean-ups play a crucial role in preserving this delicate balance by removing harmful debris and plastics that threaten marine habitats and wildlife. Great job, team!
It's a Great Day
With expansion comes the opportunity to build on our foundation of great design and lasting relationships. It’s a great day in the world of architecture.
The merger of COTERA+REED with LEVY DYKEMA is a collaboration of two award-winning legacy firms with proud histories and an exciting future together.
Our team welcomes the extraordinary talents of Juan Cotera, Phil Reed and Matt Catterall to the LEVY DYKEMA team. Their expertise will allow us to provide an enhanced experience for our clients, particularly in the area of civic, public, institutional and educational spaces. As I travel through Texas, I am reminded of their amazing contributions such as Austin’s City Hall, the Waco Mammoth National Monument Visitor Center, the Austin Energy Cooling Plant, the Fort Griffin Visitor Center and many more. At the core of our merger are the shared values of elevating the aesthetic qualities of design and sustainability for our esteemed clients.
This merger will also expand our commitment to giving back through thoughtful design and community service. Together, we are excited to continue to make a difference in communities we call our own.
Stephen V. Levy