Overview: The RAD Center is the first mass timber project at the University of Houston. Envisioned as a “third place” outside of the home or classroom, the building replaces an underground dining facility that was severely damaged during Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
© James Steinkamp
The design draws inspiration from the campus’ surrounding woodlands with timber on display and upper-story glass providing abundant natural light, which further blurs the threshold between inside and outside.
© James Steinkamp
This project was designed and constructed in alignment with the AIA 2030 Commitment, achieving an 84% reduction in predicted energy use intensity compared to similar buildings. Through high-performance design strategies and energy-efficient systems, the project contributes to the AIA 2030 goal of carbon-neutral buildings by 2030.
Project Info:
-
Architects: Perkins+Will
- Country: Houston, United States
- Area: 41000 ft²
- Year: 2024
-
Photographs: James Steinkamp
-
General Contractors: Turner Construction
-
Managing Principal: Diego Rozo
-
Design Principal: Ron Stelmarski
-
Project Manager: Tony Martin
-
Interior Design Principal: Julie Gauthier
-
Senior Project Architect: Francisco Silva
-
Design Team Senior Project Architect: Joshua Medina
-
Architects: Nyx Valerdy, Deborah Madera, Xuehao Yang, Hillary Gee
-
Designer: Jeremy Cheng, Rachel Flanagan
-
Interior Designer: Bri Ortiz
-
Building Lifecycle Assessment Specialist: Luis Barajas Saldaña
Ruba Ahmed, a senior project editor at Arch2O and an Alexandria University graduate, has reviewed hundreds of architectural projects with precision and insight. Specializing in architecture and urban design, she excels in project curation, topic selection, and interdepartmental collaboration. Her dedication and expertise make her a pivotal asset to Arch2O.