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
