OMA and RDLR Architects Transform Historic Folgers Coffee Plant into Houston Charter School

OMA, in partnership with local firm RDLR Architects, is undertaking the significant renovation of a historic industrial landmark in Houston, Texas. The former Folgers Coffee Plant, a 255,000-square-foot, three-story structure built in the 1930s, is being transformed into the Frank Liu Jr. Academy of Music and Fine Arts (FLAMA). This tuition-free, open-enrollment public charter school will serve pre-K through eighth-grade students, with a curriculum that embeds daily music and visual arts instruction.

Historic Industrial Transformation

The Folgers Coffee Plant holds a significant place in Houston’s industrial history, having been in operation through the 1960s before other coffee companies occupied the campus. Its architectural and historical importance was recognized in 2021 when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The building’s current owner is Lovett Commercial, a real estate company founded by Frank Liu, the school’s namesake, who passed away in 2022. The project is now being driven by Liu’s family and FLAMA’s board members, with the goal of making music and visual arts education widely accessible.

Designing a “Learning Landscape”

OMA’s design approach for FLAMA focuses on creating a “learning landscape” that supports the school’s artistic mission. OMA partner Jason Long described the process as akin to “revoicing an instrument—recalibrating what exists to sharpen inherited notes and enable new resonances.” The renovation strategy selectively excavates and augments the existing structure to foster a dynamic environment conducive to learning, practice, and performance.

Architectural Features and Accessibility

The released rendering indicates that the original brick envelope of the Folgers Coffee Plant will be preserved. A key visual element of the new design is a vibrant, polychromatic patio that will be integrated into the exterior. Furthermore, OMA has designed a new ramp to enhance accessibility, specifically connecting to the bus drop-off area. This project marks the second collaboration between OMA and Lovett Commercial, following their successful conversion of the former U.S. Post Office into the mixed-use arts complex, Post Houston.

Educational Partnerships and Future Opening

FLAMA is set to benefit from strong academic ties, with faculty members from the University of Houston, Rice University, Houston Christian University, and the University of Houston – Downtown assisting in educator training. OMA has indicated that more design details and images will be released in the coming months. The academy is anticipated to open its doors to students in the fall of 2027.

Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|—|—|
| Project | Renovation of former Folgers Coffee Plant into a charter school |
| School Name | Frank Liu Jr. Academy of Music and Fine Arts (FLAMA) |
| Location | East End, Houston, Texas |
| Architects | OMA (Design Architect), RDLR Architects (Executive Architect) |
| Historic Status | Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2021 |
| Anticipated Opening | Fall 2027 |

This development is significant for architecture enthusiasts and urbanism followers as it highlights the adaptive reuse of significant industrial heritage buildings. The project demonstrates how historic structures can be reimagined to serve contemporary educational needs, integrating arts into the core curriculum while preserving architectural legacy. The involvement of OMA, a globally recognized architectural firm, alongside local expertise from RDLR Architects, underscores the project’s ambition and potential impact on the East End neighborhood of Houston.

Source: OMA and RDLR Architects are retrofitting a historic coffee plant for a Houston charter school – The Architect’s Newspaper – https://www.archpaper.com/2026/06/oma-houston-frank-liu-academy/

Datos clave