Originally envisioned by Riccardo Mariano as a bold submission to the 2019 Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) design competition for Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, the Arch of Time began as a visionary concept at the intersection of art, design, and renewable energy.

In 2021, LAGI founding directors Elizabeth Monoian and Robert Ferry amplified this vision during the annual CODAworx (Collaboration of Design + Art) public art conference, CODAsummit. Delivering the Barbara Tober Keynote Address, they inspired audiences with a compelling call to action: to reimagine public art as a catalyst for post-carbon energy landscapes.

That spark ignited a new chapter.

In the wake of CODAsummit, LAGI partnered with the Acronym Fund — a philanthropic foundation dedicated to advancing arts and culture, established by Donald and Barbara Tober — to pursue the realization of a full-scale LAGI project in the United States.

Houston answered the call.

Recognizing an opportunity to showcase the city’s leadership in both energy innovation and cultural expression, the Mayor’s Office embraced the idea of a landmark artwork that could also serve a sustainable purpose—reducing the carbon footprint of Houston.

A stakeholder committee was convened and, after a competitive selection process that evaluated numerous visionary works from the LAGI portfolio, one stood out: Arch of Time.