This June, a group of architecture students from around the world have the chance to envision a greener future for one of Houston’s most recognizable skyscrapers — the ExxonMobil Building — as part of a unique biannual program called the aac Workshop.

Held twice every year since 2008, these workshops bring together students and leading international practitioners for an intensive studio experience in a multicultural learning environment. They are the core offering of the aac Academy for Architectural Culture, a nonprofit research and education institute dedicated to addressing critical architectural issues and educating young architects. The aac Academy for Architectural Culture is supported by the gmp Foundation, a mission-driven organization focused on supporting architecture students and established by global architecture firm gmp Architects (von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects).

Applications to the month-long program are open through February 10th for current architecture students and recent graduates. Details, including on extensive scholarships, can be found here: www.aac-hamburg.com/education/usa-special-2025/ 

For the summer 2025 iteration, running June 2nd to 27th and culminating in a public design exhibition, participants will create feasible design proposals to transform the ExxonMobil Building — an icon of fossil fuel monopoly originally built in 1963 — towards a carbon-free community. Featuring advisory input and mentorship from gmp executive partner Stephan Schütz, architect Charles Renfro (partner at Diller Scofidio + Renfro) among other experts, this year’s program is only the second aac Workshop to focus on a U.S. site and takes participants to Houston, and Hamburg, Germany over the monthlong study period. It is organized by the aac in collaboration with the Rice University School of Architecture.

“As we face an increasingly urgent climate crisis, the future of the built environment depends on the concept of umbau, or continuously transforming existing structures —and for today’s emerging generation of architects, this work will be the crux of professional practice,” says gmp’s Schütz. "With the academy team’s guidance, young designers are empowered to innovate, explore their creativity, learn from experienced mentors, and grow their potential."