Pennzoil Place
Buildings in Houston, Texas From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pennzoil Place is a pair of 36-story towers in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States.[2] Completed in 1975, it is Houston's most award-winning skyscraper, even being crowned "Building of the Year" by the New York Times. The project consists of two 36-story trapezoidal towers standing at 495 feet tall, separated by a narrow atrium and connected by a glass-and-steel lobby.[3] Designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee with their firm Johnson/Burgee Architects, Pennzoil Place is celebrated for its unique silhouette, mirrored and glass surfaces, and early departure from strict American modernism. Much like its chief architect Philip Johnson, the complex is widely accepted as a transitional building between modern and postmodern architecture, and has had a lasting influence on corporate skyscraper design in the United States.[4][5][6]
| Pennzoil Place | |
|---|---|
 Pennzoil Place in Houston, Texas | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Location | Downtown Houston, Texas, United States |
| Coordinates | 29.7603°N 95.3657°W |
| Completed | 1975 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 523 ft (159 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 36 |
| Floor area | 1,597,385 sq ft (148,401.9 m2)[1] |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Philip Johnson/John Burgee Architects (concept and design by Eli Attia, an architect with the firm) |
Architects
Summarize
Perspective
Philip Johnson
Philip Johnson (1906–2005) was a central figure in American architecture across much of the 20th century. Originally a proponent of modernism, Johnson completed several projects which subscribed to modernist philosophies and worked with various modern architects, such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe on the Seagram Building (1958).[7] His own Glass House (1949) in New Canaan, Connecticut, is considered one of the purest expressions of functionality and minimalist design. It is, to this day, a textbook example of late modern architecture.[8]
However, Johnson's later career saw a dramatic shift, as he became one of the leading figures in postmodernism. After 1979, Philip Johnson became a member of the "grays" – a group of architects, including Robert Venturi and Charles Moore, who rejected the strict minimalism of modernism in favor of a more multifaceted and playful approach.[9] His evolving architectural language led to projects like Pennzoil Place and later the AT&T Building in New York, which challenged the austere doctrines of modernist design.
John Burgee
John Burgee (b. 1933) was Johnson's long-time partner, and played a pivotal role in managing the Johnson/Burgee firm from its founding in 1968 to its dissolution in the 1990s. Often characterized as the operational and strategic force behind the duo's work, Burgee was instrumental in securing and executing major commissions like Pennzoil Place.[9] As journalist Paul Gapp noted in the Chicago Tribune, Burgee increasingly came to be seen as the "driving force in postmodern architecture" by the mid-1980s.[10]
The Johnson/Burgee firm's evolving philosophy blended classical symmetry with contemporary materials, offering a complex and often ironic critique of modernist orthodoxy.[7]
Design controversy
The creation, and subsequent accolades, of Pennzoil Place came under fire when Eli Attia, a young architect at Johnson/Burgee, claimed he developed the concept of the twin trapezoidal towers and their mirrored facades. While Johnson and Burgee are credited as the principal architects, Attia's contribution has been acknowledged by some architectural scholars and by the firm itself, though it remains a topic of debate within the design community.[2][4]
Development
Summarize
Perspective
Pennzoil Place was commissioned by Gerald D. Hines Interests, a Houston-based real estate development firm known for collaborating with high-profile architects. Its namesake comes from the building's chief tenant, The Pennzoil Company, an American motor oil brand owned by Shell. Construction began in 1973 and concluded in 1975.[2]
The interior offices were designed by M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, the San Francisco-based interior architecture firm.[11]
Structure
One of the most innovative aspects of Pennzoil Place's construction was its extensive and expressive use of aluminum. The building's curtain wall system utilizes bronze-anodized aluminum framing to support its reflective glass panels, contributing both to its sleek aesthetic and its structural efficiency. This material choice allowed for the sharply defined, angular geometry of the twin towers and reinforced the building's distinct modernist/postmodernist hybrid character. The curtain wall itself is a hallmark of modernist corporate philosophy, while the precise and lightweight nature of the aluminum used enabled the architects to achieve narrow mullions and fine detailing, creating postmodern design flourishes without compromising structural integrity.[12]
In recognition of this pioneering application, Pennzoil Place was awarded the R.S. Reynolds Memorial Award in 1978 by the American Institute of Architects and the Reynolds Metals Company, an honor given to buildings demonstrating excellence in the architectural use of aluminum.[13]
Towers
The twin towers, each 36 stories tall and standing at 495 feet, feature trapezoidal floor plates and are separated by a narrow, glass-enclosed atrium. Clad in bronze-tinted reflective glass and aluminum, the towers subtly lean toward and away from each other depending on the viewer's perspective, creating a dynamic, ever-changing form.[14]
Plaza
The connecting atrium at ground level serves as a shared lobby and public gathering space. The glass roof and surrounding reflective surfaces enhance the sense of openness and fluidity, a stark contrast to the typical hermetic skyscrapers of the era. The ceiling creates an engaging and interactive experience, filling the lobby with sunlight and acting as a large-scale skylight. The two buildings never interlock, instead creating a pseudo hallway between their facades in the plaza.[2][14][8]
Awards
- AIA Twenty-five Year Award (1999) — Honored by the American Institute of Architects for its lasting architectural significance.[14]
- Texas Society of Architects 25-Year Award (2018) — Recognized for its enduring contribution to the built environment and as a landmark of architectural excellence in Texas.[15]
- R.S. Reynolds Memorial Award (1978) — Presented by the American Institute of Architects and the Reynolds Metals Company, this award honored Pennzoil Place for its exceptional and innovative use of aluminum in architectural design.[13]
- Described as the "Building of the Year" by The New York Times, underscoring its critical acclaim and influence on architectural thinking.[15]
Occupants
Originally built as the headquarters of the Pennzoil Company, the building is now managed by Metropolis Investment Holdings and hosts a variety of high-profile tenants. Some current and recent notable occupants include:
- Liskow & Lewis, a national law firm specializing in energy law
- TotalEnergies, a global energy company with U.S. headquarters in Houston
- BNP Paribas, the international banking group
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka, a tax-focused law firm
- Kean Miller, a Louisiana-based law corporate firm
- Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, a Texas-based corporate law firm[14]
The building remains one of Houston's most recognisable office complexes and a symbol of architectural innovation.
Views of Pennzoil Place
Exterior view of the gap between towers.
East lobby.
Gap between towers in the lobby/atrium.
Atrium ceiling from between the two towers.
See also
References
External links
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