Architects Javier Arizmendi, FAIA, and Michael Oerth, AIA, take readers on a technical deep dive into the facade design of the new Ralph S. O’Connor School of Engineering and Science at Rice University in Houston in a recent article in Texas Architect magazine.
Complementing the materiality of the historic campus architecture, the O’Connor Building utilizes the same locally sourced, handcrafted St. Joe’s Brick Works brick omnipresent across campus—with a twist.
Texas Architect dives into the creative brick-and-punched-window composition, articulated by a series of angled brick pilasters and fins. We see design repetition in the stunning veil assembly, a custom brise-soleil that realizes the same pattern yet offers ventilation. The result: mitigated solar heat gain, reflected natural light, and a reduction of glare inside.
The final assembly not only enriches the building’s aesthetic and provides thermal comfort for pedestrians, but also it provides a sense of scale to one of the campus’ largest buildings. Read on for more about the technical aspects of this new academic and social hub design.
