Satterfield & Pontikes Celebrates Galveston Bay Foundation Ribbon Cutting
Satterfield & Pontikes Construction (S&P) recently joined Galveston Bay Foundation and community donors to celebrate the grand opening of Gessner Center, the Foundation’s new headquarters located in Kemah. The 14,000-square-foot facility is a Petal Certified Living Building, a performance-based program that recognizes buildings designed to be regenerative and create a positive impact on both the environment and the people who use them.
The Gessner Center serves as a center for education, research, and community engagement. The facility offers classrooms, community gathering space, walking trails, and direct access to the water, providing opportunities for students and visitors to learn about and experience Galveston Bay.
Through the Center, the Galveston Bay Foundation continues advancing its core program areas, including environmental education for K–12 students, habitat restoration across coastal ecosystems, water protection initiatives to improve water quality, and land conservation efforts that preserve critical habitats. The organization also leads advocacy efforts in partnership with community leaders and conducts research in collaboration with academic institutions and citizen scientists to better understand and protect the Bay’s ecological health.
The project was made possible through a lead gift from Andy and Barbara Gessner, long-time supporters of the foundation.
“The opportunity to educate children about the importance of the environment is one of the most important legacies that all of us can ever have,” says Barbara Gessner. “And to know that this facility services 12,000 children a year, I think it’s nothing short of absolutely amazing. Thank you for sharing our belief in the Galveston Bay Foundation and its mission to make the world better for the future.”
Sustainability was a driving factor in the facility’s design and construction. The building generates more energy than it consumes through rooftop solar panels and captures a significant portion of its water needs through rainwater collection. Potable water use is reduced by more than 90% through efficient plumbing systems and water reuse strategies. The project also prioritized the use of sustainable materials and diverted a substantial amount of construction waste from landfills. A geothermal HVAC system supports efficient heating and cooling, while the site incorporates natural stormwater management and restores native habitat to enhance environmental performance and user experience.
S&P is honored to have been a part of this project, alongside Kirksey Architecture and TBG Partners.
April 28, 2026
