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| The Brochstein Pavilion at Rice University courtesy of The Office of James Burnett - Landscape Architecture |
Founded in 1912, the Rice University campus is noted for its neo-Byzantine
emphasizes long, formal axes. In 2005 the Board of Trustees approved “A Vision for
the Second Century”, a strategic plan that recognizes the importance of
placemaking in campus culture. The Vision acknowledges the need to “provide
the spaces and facilities that will cultivate greater dynamism and vibrancy on the
campus and foster [a] sense of community.” The Vision identified the need for a
new social hub at the Central Quadrangle and following a generous donation
from a Houston philanthropist, the University engaged a design team to
implement this goal.
The University challenged the team to develop a scheme that responded to the
constraints of the Central Quadrangle. Originally the primary east-west axis of the
campus, the quadrangle was disrupted by the addition of the Fondren Library in
1940. Waiving the stringent architectural guidelines that typically apply to new
construction on campus, the designers were charged with the creation of an
iconic campus landmark that would offer flexible, non-programmed space that
would become the intellectual crossroads of the campus.
emphasizes long, formal axes. In 2005 the Board of Trustees approved “A Vision for
the Second Century”, a strategic plan that recognizes the importance of
placemaking in campus culture. The Vision acknowledges the need to “provide
the spaces and facilities that will cultivate greater dynamism and vibrancy on the
campus and foster [a] sense of community.” The Vision identified the need for a
new social hub at the Central Quadrangle and following a generous donation
from a Houston philanthropist, the University engaged a design team to
implement this goal.
The University challenged the team to develop a scheme that responded to the
constraints of the Central Quadrangle. Originally the primary east-west axis of the
campus, the quadrangle was disrupted by the addition of the Fondren Library in
1940. Waiving the stringent architectural guidelines that typically apply to new
construction on campus, the designers were charged with the creation of an
iconic campus landmark that would offer flexible, non-programmed space that
would become the intellectual crossroads of the campus.
Meticulously detailed and unpretentious, the transparency of the 6,000 square
buildings. To complement the modesty of the building, the landscape architect
surrounded the structure with a 10,000 SF concrete plaza scored and sandblasted
in a simple geometric pattern that references the plan of the building. Linear
bands of horsetail reed define the edge of the outdoor dining and separate the
adjacent pedestrian paths.
Interventions to the area of the Central Quadrangle to the west were limited to
those that reinforced the existing framework of the space but the newly created
interstitial space between the library and the pavilion required a more complex
approach. Responding to the grid of the building, a bosque of 48 specimen Allee
Lacebark Elms rise from a plane of decomposed granite and provide an
organizational framework that humanizes the scale of the space. A generous
concrete walk connecting the library and the pavilion bisects the grove into
garden rooms defined by plantings of African Iris. Long black concrete fountains
filled with beach stone occupy the center of each space, filling the garden with
the murmur of running water and reflecting the filtered light through the canopy.
Movable furniture and subtle site lighting allow impromptu gatherings of visitors to
enjoy the oasis created by the dense shade and running water.
buildings. To complement the modesty of the building, the landscape architect
surrounded the structure with a 10,000 SF concrete plaza scored and sandblasted
in a simple geometric pattern that references the plan of the building. Linear
bands of horsetail reed define the edge of the outdoor dining and separate the
adjacent pedestrian paths.
Interventions to the area of the Central Quadrangle to the west were limited to
those that reinforced the existing framework of the space but the newly created
interstitial space between the library and the pavilion required a more complex
approach. Responding to the grid of the building, a bosque of 48 specimen Allee
Lacebark Elms rise from a plane of decomposed granite and provide an
organizational framework that humanizes the scale of the space. A generous
concrete walk connecting the library and the pavilion bisects the grove into
garden rooms defined by plantings of African Iris. Long black concrete fountains
filled with beach stone occupy the center of each space, filling the garden with
the murmur of running water and reflecting the filtered light through the canopy.
Movable furniture and subtle site lighting allow impromptu gatherings of visitors to
enjoy the oasis created by the dense shade and running water.
Respecting the lightness of the building, the landscape architect made minimal
reinforce the existing spatial framework of the quadrangle. Although the
floodplain requirements necessitated a finish floor elevation considerably higher
than existing grade, the architects favored a solution that would not isolate the
building on a dramatic plinth. Carefully considering the existing trees, the
landscape architect subtly manipulated the grading of the approach walks so
that building feathers into the landscape and overcomes the flatness of the
campus.
reinforce the existing spatial framework of the quadrangle. Although the
floodplain requirements necessitated a finish floor elevation considerably higher
than existing grade, the architects favored a solution that would not isolate the
building on a dramatic plinth. Carefully considering the existing trees, the
landscape architect subtly manipulated the grading of the approach walks so
that building feathers into the landscape and overcomes the flatness of the
campus.
Working closely with the architect, the landscape architect developed a scheme
that gracefully harmonizes the building with the landscape, knitting together
many disparate elements on a challenging site and strengthening the existing
framework of the campus. By creating a garden that promotes human interaction
and offers respite day or night, the landscape architect has redefined the way
that generations of students will view public space.
that gracefully harmonizes the building with the landscape, knitting together
many disparate elements on a challenging site and strengthening the existing
framework of the campus. By creating a garden that promotes human interaction
and offers respite day or night, the landscape architect has redefined the way
that generations of students will view public space.
| courtesy of The Office of James Burnett - Landscape Architecture 3313 D'Amico Houston, TX 77019 713.529.9919 www.ojb.com |
| Bold masses of architectural plants are used to modulate the various use areas of the garden. |
| The two black concrete fountains add volume and order to the garden rooms. |
| Student and faculty organizations have begun to regularly use the Pavilion for a variety of Univeristy-related events. |
| A bosque of Lacebark Elms organizes the space between the Pavilion and the Fondren Library. |