Retail, Auxiliary, and Dining (RAD) Center at the University of Houston / Perkins&Will

closed

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.Text description provided by the architects.Overview: The RAD Center is the first mass timber project at the University ofHouston. 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.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.Features:• Size: 41,000 square feet• Budget: $44 million• Key Amenities:o Two-story building features 400 guest seats, including outdoor patio seating on both floors where guests can enjoy views of nearby woodlands.o Large, multilayered solid wood panels create a warm, natural aesthetic that echoes nearby greenspace.o The center features six food concepts, a coffee shop, and a convenience store.