Kendall Library & Community Center
Location: Houston, TX
Important Cultural Center Rebounds After Harvey Devastation
Five years after devastating flooding from Hurricane Harvey, The Kendall Library and Community Center in Houston TX has been remodeled and is now reopened to the public. Thanks to FEMA funding, the City of Houston was able to repair this essential community center and importantly mitigate against future floods using passive automatic flood barrier systems from FloodBreak.
FloodBreak worked closely with the project architect to arrange closure devices at critical openings in the perimeter floodwall that don’t require human intervention or power to deploy but also blend aesthetically with the building architecture.
The Library entrance is protected by a 20’ x 5’-4” FloodBreak passive automatic flip-up barrier hidden in the sidewalk to allow full access until an actual flood approaches and features granite wiper walls as the sealing surface. This FloodBreak flood gate design developed in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Allison has been proven many times during the long list of Houston floods – Memorial Day 2015, Tax Day 2016, Harvey, and Imelda.
Creative Solutions Incorporating Passive Flood Barriers
Typically, FloodBreak passive automatic flood barriers are located at pedestrian or vehicular openings but the library did not want to block the meeting room window so an automatic flip-up gate was used. The FloodBreak flood barrier allows unobstructed views and light during dry times but automatically deploys during a flood event to extend the perimeter floodwall and protect to the DFE.
Protecting The Book Drop
One opening presented a unique challenge. How do you flood protect a book drop that is embedded in the floodwall below the DFE? FloodBreak provided a creative solution that provides the passive automatic flood protection the Library requires while also blending architecturally with the brick facing. The FloodBreak VSL unit, a versatile passive automatic flood device that protects building vents and vent shafts, was modified with a smooth slide plate to allow returned books to slide into the library cart.
