It’s been said that good things come in threes, and Texas Medical Center’s TMC3 Collaborative Building (TMC3) alludes to just that. A nod to Houston’s “third coast” identity, TMC3 opened in 2024, a shared effort between four major Houston medical institutions. The opening also officially launched Helix Park, the broader space in which TMC3 resides, to the public.

Helix Park is touted as a medical center model of the future, one that interconnects medicine, academics, and research with entertainment, culinary, and retail delights. The park will encompass roughly 5.4 million square feet of development at full build-out; within that, 37 acres will be dedicated to mixed-use space and six programmed parks.

In keeping with the theme of connectedness, the outdoor space surrounding TMC3 was designed to match the grandeur of the building itself, calling for three distinct water features to be constructed on site. But these aren’t your run-of-the-mill water fountains of the mall variety – no, a contractor with niche know-how was needed to build them. 

That’s where we came in. 

Vaughn Construction, general contractor of Helix Park and TMC3, brought us on to tackle the task, contracting our team to construct all three water features. Each one was built during different phases of the Helix Park project.

The first of the three is the largest and most impressive – this expansive water feature flanks the entryway to TMC3, spanning the entire width of the building. It was designed to resemble a double helix, tying into Helix Park’s name. A bird’s eye view of the feature shows just that: five large, but shallow basins greet visitors, each intersected by bridge-like pathways that lead to the building. The best part of the feature? Water falls that channel water up and down the basins, made possible by a 125 horsepower pump we installed (our largest to date). The soothing sounds of flowing water only add to the ambience of the space.

The second water feature was designed with a more intimate feel in mind. Surrounded by lush landscaping, this seating area offers a surprising twist – a custom water wall that fills up and cascades over slopes built in behind the backrests of the seating. The blend of shade trees, cool mist, and the sound of running water falling just behind your back is a welcome respite on a hot day.

The last of the three water features resides at the top of a small hill within Helix Park. The highlight of this circular fountain is the collection of jets that shoot water high into the air in waves. From there, water flows down a curved, tiled pathway to a large pool at the bottom of the hill, where it recirculates to the top. Custom lighting accents the feature, adding an extra layer of pizzazz at night.

Helix Park reflects the future of medical centers as hubs of multi-faceted innovation. We’re proud to have played a part in the project, bringing life to the outdoors three times over.

General Contractor: Vaugn Construction

B&D Project Manager: Kelly Carmouche