Designing for Heritage and Community:
My Experience with the
Ismaili Center Houston
Representing the Landscaping as a Core Team Member for the Property Matters Portfolio for the Ismaili Center Houston (ICH) stands out as a defining milestone in my professional journey. Representing the Midwest Region, I had the privilege of helping shape the foundational landscape framework for this landmark project.
Beyond contributing domain expertise, I was tasked with compiling, consolidating, and refining all the data received from every portfolio department into one master document. After merging, editing, and finalizing the material, our team presented this unified document to lead architect Farshid Moussavi and her team on Monday, February 11th, at 8:00 AM at the Houston Principal Center (HPC).
The portfolio leadership and technical leads comprised key roles across the project:
- Lead & Deputy Lead
- Architecture
- Construction
- Maintenance
- Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing / PA-Automation
- Embellishments
- Procurement
- Landscaping
- Structural / Civil / Geotechnical Aspect
Every lead position across architecture, engineering, and execution was represented by men—with only two exceptions. I represented the Landscaping, and my colleague Mehreen represented Structural/Civil/Geotech.
During our meeting, Miss Farshid Moussavi spoke directly to Mehreen and I, sharing how wonderful it was to finally see female representation at the table. Being the only two women present throughout that entire high-level architectural meeting process made the experience unforgettable and filled us both with immense pride.
Strategic Recommendations & Design Insights
Designing a civic and cultural sanctuary requires balancing traditional heritage with local ecology. Islamic landscape architecture historically uses water, geometric courtyards, and native flora to create shade, privacy, and peace—elements that require careful technical planning for the Gulf Coast climate. As a landscape designer and an Ismaili, I presented my expertise and take home points in the document. Below is the outline of what I covered in the document.
Microclimate & Plant Selection
- Hardiness Optimization: Specified species strictly within USDA Hardiness Zones 8b–9a to ensure long-term survival, prioritizing native biodiversity and robust deep-taproot systems to prevent root damage to hardscapes.
- Targeted Exclusions: Recommended avoiding species prone to structural or heat stress in local soils, such as Italian Cypress, Pine, and Canadian Maple.
- Strategic Color Placement: Prioritized sustainable perennial beds across the main grounds while reserving smaller, high-traffic zones for bi-annual rotational displays to keep maintenance costs controlled.
Water Conservation & Hydro-Zoning
- Advanced Irrigation: Proposed smart, zone-specific irrigation systems (e.g., Rachio controllers or higher grade) tailored to distinct plant typologies, with physical protection for sprinkler heads against lawn mowers.
- Stormwater Retention: Advocated for rainwater harvesting using cistern systems, rain barrels, rain gardens, and pervious paving to minimize runoff and reduce municipal water use.
The Role of Water Features
- Acoustic & Thermal Relief: Designed active, moving water features to generate soothing acoustics, lower perceived ambient temperatures, prevent stagnant water, and deter mosquitoes.
- Material Resilience: Selected non-granite materials capable of withstanding hard-water deposits without staining or burning under scorching sun exposure, avoiding open pebble basins to simplify site maintenance.
Community-Centered Spaces
- Youth & Multi-Generational Hubs: Recommended dedicated outdoor gathering courtyards positioned safely away from heavy vehicular traffic, drop-off lanes, and parking lots.
- Biophilic Integration: Outlined clear indoor planter integration strategies to seamlessly extend greenery inside the building.
Technical Inquiries Presented to the Architectural Team
To align our site strategy with overall master planning, we submitted key questions to the architects:
- Public & Community Integration: Clarifying public access to walkways, potential bike rack integration, and how the ICH landscape connects with Houston’s 160-acre Buffalo Bayou Park.
- Microclimate Control: Addressing urban microclimates, light-fixture heat on plant beds, and soil remediation plans (such as importing black dirt and topsoil).
- Feature Maintenance & Safety: Evaluating options for sealing water basins to prevent debris collection and reviewing turf grass selections (such as Salina or Bermuda).
Contributing to a project of this magnitude underscores the vital role landscape design plays in honoring tradition, protecting natural resources, and building vibrant communities.
Photo Taken: January 1st, 2026 - Ismaili Center Houston
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Photo taken: February 11th, 2019 - HPC