LAN provided civil/site design and planning services for upgrades to the Menil Collection’s 30-acre campus in Houston’s Museum District.

The Menil Drawing Institute is a new, state-of-the art facility dedicated to the collection, exhibition, and study of modernist drawing. LAN’s grading, drainage, and utility design required a non-traditional approach to avoid disturbing the institute’s underground storage and landscaping. The building’s roof is designed to resemble a drawing when shadows are cast by nearby trees which required extensive tree preservation. Bistro Menil required grading, paving, drainage, and utilities designed to meet City of Houston requirements. An underground detention system was designed to accommodate site constraints. The new facilities required expansion of the campus’s energy house to accommodate additional blowers and mechanical equipment. LAN designed the new site to maintain the existing facility’s operation during construction and transition.

To better serve visitors to the expanded campus, LAN performed a parking study which was used to apply for a special parking district – the second of its kind approved by the City of Houston. The parking district promotes walkability throughout the campus by reducing the required number of parking lots.

In addition, LAN coordinated with METRO to upgrade an existing bus stop along Richmond Avenue in advance of Super Bowl LI in 2017. The stop includes a new, covered bench with an expanded pad site to meet ADA standards and provide universal accessibility to the Menil Campus and local residents.