FUTURE’S PAST
PROJECT FOCUS
MURAL ACTIVATION / CARBON ABSORBING TECHNOLOGY
Video by Tommy Valdez of Arrowhead Creative
In 2024, as the national art ambassador for Graphenstone, UXD undertook a Carbon Absorbing Mural project that transformed the historic Esperson buildings in Houston, Texas. The initiative centered around creating Texas' first eco-friendly mural, which not only beautified the area but actively contributed to environmental health. This project not only showcased a groundbreaking collaboration between historic architecture and modern sustainable art but also set a new standard for urban regeneration. Completed in 2024, the project successfully achieved the creation of a stunning, environmentally beneficial artwork and revitalized a historic landmark, setting a new standard for the real estate industry that prioritizes innovation, sustainability, and cultural enrichment.
THE STORY
A mini-documentary following Houston-born artist Emily Ding through the process of painting her first carbon absorbing mural at the Esperson in downtown Houston.
Length: 100 seconds
Type: Mini-Doc
Use: Website and Portfolio
BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO A 100-YEAR-OLD BUILDING AS IT TRANSFORMS INTO HOUSTON’S VERTICAL ENTREPRENEURIAL VILLAGE.
SERVICES
CONSULTATION
DESIGN
TEAM EXPERIENCE
PROJECT COORDINATION
INSTALLATION
LOGISTICS
Real estate and urban development often face issues with balancing historical preservation and modern sustainability demands. Our challenge was to create a project that would not only honor the Esperson buildings' rich history dating back to 1927 but also position them as beacons of innovation for the future. Additionally, we aimed to support local artistic talent while making a tangible environmental impact and showcasing the potential of our partnership with Graphenstone.
THE CHALLENGE
The cornerstone of our solution was the use of Graphenstone's revolutionary carbon-absorbing paint, leveraging our role as their national art ambassador. This eco-friendly material served as both a canvas for art and an active contributor to environmental health. Beyond this, the project incorporated:
Collaboration with local artist Emily Ding to create a vivid, nature-inspired mural
Integration of bold color gradients and fluid style to embody the buildings' enduring legacy
Careful planning to ensure the mural complemented the historic architecture
Exclusive use of Graphenstone's eco-friendly coatings to minimize environmental impact
Design elements symbolizing the Esperson's evolution from 1920s progress to modern entrepreneurship
THE SOLUTION
The project unfolded in several key stages:
Conceptualization and partnership formation with United By Design and Emily Ding
Leveraging our partnership with Graphenstone to secure and showcase their carbon-absorbing paint
Preparation of the mural surface on the Esperson buildings
Creation of the mural by Emily Ding, incorporating nature-inspired artwork with expressive animals and figures
Final touches and public unveiling of the completed mural, highlighting the Graphenstone partnership
IMPLEMENTATION
Historic buildings can be platforms for cutting-edge environmental solutions
Collaboration between diverse stakeholders (property management, artists, and eco-friendly material providers) can yield innovative results
Public art can serve multiple purposes: aesthetic enhancement, environmental benefit, and product showcase
Partnerships with innovative companies like Graphenstone can lead to unique project opportunities
KEY LEARNINGS
The Carbon Absorbing Mural, unveiled in 2024, has had the following impact:
Creation of Texas' first eco-friendly mural that actively absorbs carbon dioxide, showcasing Graphenstone's innovative product
Revitalization of a historic landmark while maintaining its architectural integrity
Increased foot traffic and interest in the Esperson buildings
Support for local artistic talent and promotion of Houston's cultural scene
Demonstration of innovative approaches to combining art, sustainability, and historic preservation
Heightened awareness of Graphenstone's eco-friendly products through our role as their national art ambassador
RESULTS AND IMPACT
This project has set a new benchmark for our future urban regeneration projects. We anticipate:
Increased demand for eco-friendly art installations using Graphenstone products in urban environments
Greater collaboration between the real estate industry, local artists, and sustainable material providers
More widespread use of carbon-absorbing materials in building and renovation projects
Expansion of our role as Graphenstone's national art ambassador, leading to more innovative, sustainable projects
FUTURE IMPLICATIONS