Surya, in Dallas the Nasher sculptural centre has been in a dispute over intense hot sports caused by the newly constructed Museum tower with its highly reflective skin. To resolve this issue a team led by REX and Front was commissioned by the Dallas Police and Fire Pension Fund. They had the challenge of designing a solution to resolve this two yearlong dispute.
© Luxigon
The team proposed a 400-foot sun responsive structure named Surya. This aimed in shielding Nasher from the constant glare that the Museum emits, while at the same instance acting as a landmark for the art District. The structure blocks the glare received by the sculptural centre, but not by being a large mass in the way. It uses a tracking mechanism that opens and closes like an umbrella when needed, to prevent glare transmitting to the centre. This makes for a great solution, as the Museum’s view that’s restricted by Surya will only be so for the duration at which the glare is in that position.
Project info:
Architects: REX/Front
Country: United States, Dallas
Year: 2013
Photographs: Luxigon, REX
Key Personnel: Adrian Betanzos (F), Adam Chizmar (R), Danny Duong (R), Richard Green (F), Ramon van der Heijden (F), Anthony Kantzas (F), Joshua Prince-Ramus (R), Marc Simmons (F), Yalin Uluaydin (F)
Consultant: Magnusson Klemencic
Client: Dallas Police and Fire Pension Fund
Surface Area: 5,360 m² (57,600 sf)
