Galveston Bay Foundation Opens New Headquarters on the Bay: The Gessner Center

KEMAH, TEXAS — Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) is proud to announce the opening of its new headquarters, The Gessner Center, a state-of-the-art facility located on Galveston Bay. Designed to serve as a hub for environmental education, conservation, and community engagement, the building represents a major milestone in GBF’s mission to preserve and protect the Bay for generations to come.

The Gessner Center was developed with sustainability at its core and is part of the internationally recognized Living Building Challenge. The project successfully incorporates numerous petals of the challenge, reflecting a commitment to regenerative design, environmental responsibility, and long-term resilience.

Public access to the Bay remains limited, and GBF envisioned this space as a place where people can connect directly with the water through future programs, educational experiences, and guided visits. By welcoming students and community members onto the site and into the building, The Gessner Center serves as a gateway to the Bay—fostering a deeper understanding of its importance and inspiring the next generation of coastal stewards.

“This project has always been about opening the Bay to people,” said Bob Stokes, President of the Galveston Bay Foundation. “For so many in our region, access to Galveston Bay is limited. The Gessner Center changes that. It creates a place where students and community members can experience the Bay firsthand—through education, exploration, and connection. More than anything, this is about inspiring people to care about the Bay by giving them the opportunity to truly engage with it.”

The Gessner Center is made possible through the extraordinary generosity and vision of its namesakes, Barbara and Andy Gessner. “Galveston Bay Foundation will be able to use The Gessner Center to educate people why they should care about the Bay and how they can help protect it for future generations. Andy and I agree on the importance of education, especially as it pertains to the environment,” said Barbara Gessner.

The successful realization of The Gessner Center is the result of a collaborative effort between intentional architects, expert builders, and landscape designers committed to sustainability and resilience.

Designed by Kirksey Architecture, the building blends innovation with environmental stewardship. “For our team, this project is both a milestone and a call to action. It demonstrates that even in challenging coastal contexts, buildings can give back more than they take. It offers a replicable model for designers and builders who aspire to pursue high-performance, restorative architecture. Most importantly, it positions the Galveston Bay Foundation to continue protecting and promoting the shoreline’s natural beauty for generations to come,” said Catherine Callaway, Associate Partner & Director of Sustainability and Building Performance at Kirksey.

Satterfield & Pontikes served as the general contractor for the project, bringing the vision of a high-performance, environmentally responsible facility to life through thoughtful construction practices and attention to detail.

Together, these efforts ensure that The Gessner Center is not only a building, but a living, breathing extension of the Bay itself.

About Galveston Bay Foundation Galveston Bay Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting Galveston Bay through land conservation, habitat restoration, education, water protection, research, and advocacy. By partnering with individuals, organizations, and communities, GBF works to ensure a healthy and resilient Bay for generations to come.