As one of the largest U.S. cities, Houston’s sprawling, car-centric infrastructure is underpinned by a vast arterial system of over 2,500 miles of bayous—an untapped ecological feature that could redefine urban life.
Recognizing this potential, the Houston Parks Board worked alongside SWA to develop a visionary plan for nine central bayous as an interconnected park system, bringing 60% of Houstonians within 1.5 miles of green space.
The network was reimagined as a 3,000-acre greenway and blueway system linking neighborhoods with multimodal trails and restored habitat. Named Bayou Greenways, the master plan represented a shift in Houston’s approach to designing with water—framing it as a civic asset rather than a source of risk. The framework identifies opportunities to enhance ecosystem performance while reducing flood impacts on adjacent neighborhoods, carving out space for direct water access and alternate modes of transit.
The monumental task required a decade-long collaboration between the Houston Parks Board, City of Houston, Harris County Flood Control District, and numerous stakeholders. Beyond recreation, the Bayou Greenways initiative embodies a broader vision for living in Houston—prioritizing health, resilience, equitable access to open space, and authentic connectivity to the city’s natural heritage.
Woodbine Master Plan
The project transforms the largest undeveloped tract within Toronto into an iconic and dynamic, fully integrated, transit-oriented mixed-use district. Capitalizing on the racetrack’s legacy and the site’s natural, cultural, and locational assets, the project is designed to become a new heart in Toronto.
The master plan includes a d...
Alief Park and Neighborhood Center
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Houston was compelled to reassess community preparedness. The 37-acre Alief Center, situated in one of the city’s most culturally diverse areas, addresses longstanding issues of disinvestment and environmental injustice while fostering physical and social resilience.
Elevated above the 100-year floodplain, the...
Buffalo Bayou Park
This thoroughly renovated, 160-acre public space deploys a vigorous agenda of urban ecological services and improved pedestrian accessibility, with two new bridges connecting surrounding neighborhoods. The design utilizes channel stabilization techniques, enhancing the bayou’s natural meanders and offering increased resiliency against floodwaters while preserv...
Paveletskaya Plaza
Situated along Moscow’s Ring Road and adjacent to the legendary Paveletsky Station transportation hub, the park at Paveletskaya Plaza will both cover and reveal the new bustling underground retail facility below while also serving as a landmark destination for residents and visitors alike.
The extraordinary retail and architectural vision for Paveletska...