Rivers Barden Architects

Home
United States
Houston, TX
Rivers Barden Architects

Rivers Barden Architects is a Houston-based architectural practice with a focus on residential as well as small commercial projects.

Rivers Barden Architects is a Houston-based architectural practice with a focus on residential, small commercial and civic projects. We are deeply interested in how architecture can positively impact the quality of life for our clients and the surrounding environment. We believe architecture performs best as a receptive and sustainable framework allowing life to unfold. We strive to listen, observ

e and respond to the needs of our clients, the specifics of the site, and the unique qualities of each project.

01/02/2026

Moondog’s out tonight.
Last long look before sleep tight.
Lolli Pop littles.

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays from Rivers Barden Architects!

From gumdrop vents to candy cane reinforcement, we’re wishing our family, friends, collaborators, clients, and followers a season of peace, joy, and warmth.

11/24/2025

We love exploring how bathing rituals can deepen our connection to light, landscape, material, and the quiet rhythms of daily life.

Swipe through for a few of our favorite bathroom moments from over the years.

Each project is its own story, but the intent remains constant: to craft calming, restorative spaces that feel grounded in their surroundings and offer a resonant, personal experience.

Images
1: West Texas Retreat — 📸:
2: The Tree Farm — with and — 📸:
3: Timbergrove Renovation
4: Geodesic Dome Renovation — 📸:
5: Memorial Bend Renovation
6: Albert Cabin — 📸:

10/23/2025

Project: New Territory Tennis Center
Location: Sugar Land, Texas

Exciting news ahead! This new tennis facility for will replace the existing pro shop with a larger, more welcoming space featuring a shaded front porch, pro shop, equipment area, and restrooms on the main level; plus, a spacious covered observation deck above with views of all eight surrounding courts.

A 35-foot long elevated boardwalk between courts will add even more viewing opportunities, perfect for tournaments and community gatherings.

Construction begins soon! We can’t wait to share progress as it unfolds!

10/08/2025

Project: HCU Moody Library Renovation
Location: Houston, Texas

Over the past few several months we’ve been collaborating with to reimagine and transform Moody Library at into a vibrant ecosystem of learning.

This renovation honors the building’s mid-century legacy while creating a dynamic, light-filled, and inclusive environment where advising, tutoring, testing and career services unite to support every student’s journey.

Circulation becomes intuitive, daylight becomes wellness, acoustic zoning becomes adaptive; all working together to foster focus, belonging, and growth.

Images 1-3: Proposed Renderings
Images 4-5: Existing Library

04/10/2025

Earlier this year Kevin collaborated with of and in writing a paper for the National Conference on the Beginning design Student about the use of making large-scale physical models in professional and academic studio settings.

Entitled “Immersive Tools”, the paper explores the value of constructing immersive physical models to understand light, space, and experience; creating working environments that promote “being in the zone” through kairotic conceptions of space and time; and offering examples of these processes in professional and academic practice.

The image above is of a large-scale physical model of the TWA Terminal by Eero Saarinen’s office.

See the link in our bio to read the full paper.

04/01/2025

Happy 9th Anniversary from Rivers Barden Architects!

Thank you to all of our clients, colleagues, friends, and family for your support and trust to collaborate in making the world a better and more beautiful place. Cheers to another great year to come!

Project Image: Geodesic Dome Renovation
Photography:

02/13/2025

Project: Geodesic Dome Renovation
Location: Minnetonka, MN

Perched at the top of our recently completed geodesic dome renovation sits a light-filled office area for work and study. The cupola connects inhabitants to the surrounding tree canopy and acts as a sundial through out the day. Light spills in from above and below allowing for an airy and distraction-free place to focus.

Builder:
Interior Design:
Photography:

02/07/2025

Project Name: Albert Cabin
Location: Albert, TX

Stepping through the stone wall portal welcomes an arrival to Texas Hill Country. Using natural limestone from the surrounding area, a composition of three walls creates a perched shelter for relaxation, sleeping, and viewing the night sky.

To read more about this project, please visit the link in our bio.

Rendering:

12/20/2024

Happy Holidays to our family, friends, colleagues, clients, and followers near and far! May this holiday season be filled with peace, joy, and hope.

The image above includes a real LEGO model of our recently completed Casita project in Houston. Joe is a Master Builder!

12/03/2024

Project Name: Geodesic Dome Renovation
Location: Minnetonka, MN

This renovation of a geodesic dome home includes a new primary suite and bedroom with a view to the forest. The large skylight next to the bathtub gives a tree canopy experience with access to the stars at night.

See the link in our bio for more images and information.

Interior Design:
General Contractor:
Photography:

11/02/2024

Project Name: Geodesic Dome Renovation
Location: Minnetonka, Minnesota

Earlier this year we finished a renovation of the house Kevin grew up in. His parents designed and built the house at the height of the energy crisis in the early 1980s. His mom wanted a “cabin in the woods” close to the city and his dad wanted a forward-thinking house that clearly took a position on energy conservation.

The renovation includes a new primary suite and bedroom with a view of the forest; a new kitchen with lines of sight and sound to the living and dining areas; as well as new finishes throughout.

His dad loved how light danced throughout the interior space at different times of the day and year. His mom loves the peace the space brings for her and visitors.

How can something new respect and love what’s old? How can the essence of a place be carried forward without losing what makes it special?

A special thank you to the whole team of family and friends, old and new, for the collaborative efforts on this project.

Interior Design:
General contractor:
Photography:

Address

718 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX
77006

Telephone

+12818459801

Website

http://www.riversbarden.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Rivers Barden Architects posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Home Improvement Business in Houston?