150 Years of Design celebrates the 25th anniversary of the collaboration between the MFAH and the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

This collaboration is the only one of its kind in the United States. Since 1999, the Museum has worked with the AIA to build the American Institute of Architects, Houston Design Collection. The collection encompasses international, architect-designed objects made beginning in 1880—particularly furniture, metalwork, ceramics, glass, lighting, and industrial design.

The selections on view in 150 Years of Design: The AIA Houston Collection include rare and limited-edition works, such as a translucent, molded-plastic chair by Maarten Van Severen; a sterling-silver flower basket by Josef Hoffmann for the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop); a tubular steel chair and stool by Marcel Breuer; a lamp by Lester Geis; and the Gerrit Rietveld “Zig-Zag” Chair.

This exhibition coincides with the 85th Annual TxA (Texas Society of Architects) Conference & Design Expo, being held in Houston from October 3 to October 5, 2024.

► Publication
Accompanying the exhibition is an online catalogue featuring scholarly object entries, an introduction to the AIA Houston Collection, and an essay on the importance of architects to design history.

150 Years of Design: The AIA Houston Collection / August 31, 2024–August 17, 2025