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    Skyscraper Skybreaking

    'Skybreaking' offers virtual reality view of new downtown Houston tower

    Clifford Pugh
    Jun 26, 2017 | 10:13 am

    Instead of a traditional groundbreaking, Skanska officials recently hosted a "skybreaking" to tout their new skyscraper in downtown Houston. They imported an igloo with lots of projection equipment from Great Britain, set it up in a meeting room at the nearby JW Marriott Houston Downtown hotel and invited guests to come in, walk around and experience a 360-degree virtual view of the gleaming Capitol Tower, now under construction.

    "When a new icon rises on the Houston skyline, you don't break the ground, you break the sky," Skanska USA executive vice president Matt Damborsky explained.

    In another area of the room, dubbed the "VR bar," guests donned goggles to tour the building via virtual reality and get a sense of what the space will be like, even venturing onto the roof, where at times it seemed the viewer might fall off if he or she stepped out too far.

    "The first time I did it I thought I was going to fall off eight balconies," joked Hong Ogle, Houston Market president of Bank of America, the tower's lead tenant. "I had to remind myself I'm really standing on ground. There's no cliff in front of me."

    The 35-story tower, designed by the architectural firm Gensler, is rising on a block bounded by Capitol, Rusk, Milam, and Texas streets, the site of the Houston Club building built by the legendary Jesse Jones. Bank of America, which is consolidating its operations in three downtown buildings into six-and-a-half floors of the new tower, has secured naming rights. The new name will be announced when the building is completed in mid-2019.

    Much of the virtual reality view concentrated on the lobby area, which features floor-to-ceiling glass windows to allow in a lot of natural light, a two-level atrium with retail space and a chef-driven restaurant, and a tiered-step gathering area that extends to the tunnel system, where five to six food-truck-like restaurants are planned. The atrium will link the tower's street level to the underground walkway with five tunnel connections.

    "We're trying to think of this as the front door to the tunnel system," said Skanska manager of development Sean Murphy.

    Officials also touted the building's energy saving features as the first Houston development to reach LEED v4 Platinum precertification from the U.S. Green Building Council and such amenities as a spa-quality fitness center with showers and lockers. The tower offers 754,000 square feet of office space. 26,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and an 11-level parking garage.

    Showcasing the building in a virtual way allows potential tenants to get a better idea of what the finished product will look like, Murphy said. "Even building professionals have a hard time visualizing something until they get to see it in an immersive situation like this, and then it becomes real."

    Houston CIty Council member Robert Gallegos, Greg Mondshine.

    Capitol Tower, Robert Gallegos, Greg Mondshine
    Photo by John Lewis
    Houston CIty Council member Robert Gallegos, Greg Mondshine.
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    more than floors

    70s revival and layers of style lead design expert's top tile trends

    Emily Cotton
    Jan 16, 2026 | 11:00 am
    Home design trend tile wall Floor & Decor
    Courtesy of Floor & Decor
    In 2026, bold statement tile is reaching far beyond kitchens and bathrooms.

    Year after year, trend forecasting is all the rage come January. From bold flooring to cream-colored kitchens, a pair of themes ties all of 2026’s home design trends together — organic materials and vintage vibes reign supreme.

    This week, economical designer and DIY-weekend-warrior favorite Floor & Decor released its four top style predictions, plus its 2026 “Tiles of the Year.” Interestingly, tile is extending its reach beyond the typical wet space parameters. Think bold statement walls in dining and living rooms, and fun textures and patterns splayed across tabletops. When it comes to tile, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of “why not?!”

    Trends this year draw from a wide range of influences — vintage eras, natural elements, and inventive material combinations — allowing homeowners and designers to reimagine kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces in distinctive ways.

    “We're craving the comfort of nostalgia. Vintage-inspired tile is surging, especially styles that nod to the 70s with warm tones, textures, and patterns,” Ashley Biscan, design and trend expert at Floor & Decor tells CultureMap. “What makes this revival feel current is the balance against clean lines and modern installation, so it feels intentional and pays homage, as opposed to feeling dated.”

    As far as application is concerned, Biscan points out that tiling walls in dining and living rooms is more in line with a renaissance than a revelation. “Although wall tile might seem unconventional in a dining room, it's more traditional than some might think and harkens back to charming design eras,” explains Biscan. “This year, style is all about curating personal statements through layers of texture, pattern, and color in key gathering spaces. Every dinner party needs a conversation piece, after all.”

    Trendy Houstonians and Round Top regulars — arguably cut from the same cloth — have no doubt taken notice of tiled tabletops popping up everywhere from top shops to the see-and-be-scene patio at the new Hotel Daphne in The Heights.

    “Seeing tile used in unexpected places like tabletops or coffee tables reflects a broader shift toward material-driven design and handmade craftsmanship,” says Biscan. “There are durable options that work really well in these formats that are both functional and beautiful and truly one of a kind.”

    Looking to incorporate tile into an unconventional room or furniture piece, but can’t seem to commit? Mixing and matching new tile trends into somewhat of a quilt or tapestry design is not something to fear.

    “Mixing and matching tile is a clever way to enrich a space, add character, and make it personal,” shares Biscan. “To keep an eclectic look cohesive, layer tiles within the same color palette. A popular example with warm neutrals is the combination of depth and texture through natural stone and ceramic zellige combinations.”

    "This year's design trends celebrate both nature's richness and the joy of personal expression," says Biscan. "From earthy palettes and textured materials to layered patterns and tailored combinations, every space can feel thoughtful and dynamic. The Vetta Elements Collection in Luxe Earth captures this spirit perfectly, offering versatile ways to mix colors, textures, and formats for interiors that are both sophisticated and uniquely personal."

    Biscan has named Luxe Earth from the Vetta Elements Collection as the Floor & Decor Tile of the Year. A versatile porcelain tile designed to elevate any space, its rich, earthy tones bring warmth to both indoor and outdoor settings, providing a welcoming foundation. With a mix-and-match approach, homeowners and designers can experiment with sizes, colors, and patterns to craft a personalized look that is durable enough for high-traffic areas yet refined enough for feature walls. Vetta Elements demonstrates how design-forward style and practicality can coexist seamlessly.

    As promised, here is Floor & Decor's 2026 Design Trends Forecast, showcasing interiors that are bold and full of character.

    Retro Rhapsody: 70s Revival with Modern Edge
    Warm nostalgia meets contemporary polish as the spirit of the 1970s reenters the home. Saturated hues, sculptural forms, and rich wood finishes create spaces that feel expressive yet intentional. Deep ambers, soft burgundies, and smoky neutrals pair with geometric patterns, curved silhouettes, and tactile materials to bring depth and personality to kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. When balanced with clean lines and refined finishes, these retro influences feel inviting and distinctly current.

    Crème Brûlée Kitchens: Warm Neutrals Reimagined
    The classic white kitchen is being refreshed through toasted neutrals, with layers of vanilla, eggshell, and Swiss Coffee bringing warmth and depth to the heart of the home without sacrificing brightness. Subtle tonal variation across cabinetry, surfaces, and finishes creates a cohesive, elevated look that feels timeless yet indulgent.

    Lush Landscape: Organic Depth and Texture
    Natural influence is taking a more textural, tonal form. Colors drawn from earth, sand, and sky are interpreted through layered finishes and pronounced surfaces, adding richness and dimension to interiors with material-driven spaces and an emphasis on depth and organic continuity.

    Eclectic Artistry: Personalized Layers of Style
    Mix eras, textures, and patterns to create bold and unexpected combinations that tell a story with nods to the past. Intentional combinations of color and material create spaces that feel layered and unmistakably personal.

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