Kendall/Heaton Associates

Situated on the historical Rice University quadrangle, William T. Cannady Hall is a 22,000-square foot addition to the School of Architecture comprising a new two-story building with two new outdoor terraces connected to renovated spaces in the existing Anderson Hall.

The new building complements current studios and classrooms with spaces for production, collaboration and exhibition, providing infrastructure for new forms of learning and research. A physical connection sits atop an existing arcade and extends the language of the gable roofs into a sawtooth system that brings northern light deep into the two floors.

The generous spaces and exposed structure are hallmarks of the sustainable, user-oriented design that considers the lifecycle of the building and its elements. At the same time, they serve as learning tools for the school. Double-height spaces visually connect the second floor research space with the ground floor fabrication hall while galleries on two floors serve as the public face of the project, greeting visitors arriving from the main campus street.

A majestic live oak tree anchors the courtyard that unites the two buildings, new and old, into an ensemble. Clad in glazed terracotta, the building complements the brick palette of the Rice University while acknowledging its role as a forward-looking place for experimentation and exchange.

The project will seek LEED Silver certification by the USGBC.