On Tap: The Columbia Tap Trail

Originally part of the Houston Tap and Brazoria Railway chartered in 1856, the rail line was built to transport sugar and cotton from the plantations of Brazoria County to the Port of Houston, and later to transport Black convict lease laborers to those same plantations. The railway was abandoned in 1985. More than two decades later, in 2009, a four-mile section was converted into a rail-trail, now known as the Columbia Tap Trail.  

On TAP was a temporary, site-specific project for Columbia Tap Trail that focused on interpreting the history, economy, resilience, culture, and community values of the Third Ward. The project engaged with historic sites, neighborhoods, hike/bike trails, and green spaces. Seven teams were formed, comprised of a total of 24 senior graphic design students from the Kathrine G. McGovern School of Art’s Graphic Design Program and 14 fourth- and fifth-year students from the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design. Each team selected a site along the trail to create interactive installations. These installations were designed to engage the public and surrounding communities during the Third Annual Third Ward On TAP event, raising awareness of the trail and its potential amenities.

Accurate content was critical to the project’s success and relied heavily on the expertise of community stakeholders, as well as the students’ in-depth research into the history and evolving needs of the neighborhoods. With 36 students working along a four-mile corridor, coordinating logistics posed a significant challenge—requiring the organization of site visits, assessment of site conditions, and management of fabrication and installation complexities—all while ensuring that each installation remained contextually appropriate and meaningful.

The On Tap event and installations supported the broader community effort to enhance the Columbia Tap Trail while celebrating its rich history and cultural heritage. Serving as a catalyst, the event marked a small but meaningful step toward continued advocacy for trail improvements and public investment.

For students, the project offered an immersive introduction to the power of site-specific design and storytelling—tools for uncovering hidden histories, creating inclusive public spaces, expanding access to recreation and nature, and bridging divides between neighborhoods. Through active participation in community and stakeholder meetings, students gained firsthand experience with the complexities of community-based work. Along the way, they honed essential skills in site-specific research, proposal development, design, fabrication, installation, and public engagement within the built environment.

Student teams developed proposals, presenting them to faculty and stakeholders. Messaging was continuously refined throughout the process, while models and material tests underwent numerous iterations. The Beacon team led the project branding efforts, collaborating with the teams to create a cohesive language of color and iconography, while still preserving team autonomy.

Student teams developed proposals, presenting them to faculty and stakeholders. Messaging was continuously refined throughout the process, while models and material tests underwent numerous iterations. The beacon team was in charge of the project branding and worked with the teams to make a cohesive language of color and iconography while still allowing for team autonomy.

Recycled materials, such as bicycle wheels, were used whenever possible. As a class, we visited the Houston Recycle Warehouse, and students returned regularly as material needs emerged.

Design Team

Student Team 1: Diana Cao, Brissa Estrada, Emma Matocha, Amber Quinn, Calo Penedo Silva

Student Team 2: Samah Hassan, Widad Hayali, Rochelle Matus, Yanci Ramirez, Ana Tejeda

Student Team 3: J Dylan Burkett, Christian Barrera, Kai Wen Chua, TJ Jordan, Zoe Schomburg

Student Team 4: Joan Ku, Natalia Marmolejo, Daniel Sabillon, Adam Smith, Nina Torres

Student Team 5: Ashley Guzman, Julissa Herrera, Sarah Jordan, Hannah McCreary, Andrew Thai

Student Team 6: Natalie Costello, Alex Crow, Luis V. Matson, Cindy Muñoz, Yebin Song

Student Team 7: Catherine Cantú, Tanner Hodgkinson, Saray Mata, Esther Par, Jose Romero, Gerald Sastra

Collaborators

Susan Rogers, (associate professor, University of Houston)
Gerald D. Hines (College of Architecture and Design and Director of the CDRC (Community Design Resource Center)
Cheryl Beckett (associate professor, University of Houston, School of Art, program coordinator)

Photo Credits

Jeff Stark at Digital, students, faculty and students

Open Date

March 2024