Raymond and Susan Brochstein Pavilion, Houston, Texas by Thomas Phifer and Partners, built in 2008 to be a central meeting place for the community, where students, faculty and visitors can interact with each other and the beautiful surrounding landscape and nature.

Experience Nature

The design of this building uniquely ties the old brick buildings characteristic to Rice University with nature, creating a place just as important as the instructional buildings, for all to unwind, connect, be inspired.

The outdoor trellis system is appropriately spaced to eliminate 70 percent of direct light.

Here is the photo I used as a reference for my drawing:

While drawing the Brochstein Pavilion, I noticed the architect's incredible use of line.

A Place for Interaction

I find this area very interesting. Depending on how you angle your chair you can have very different interactions with the world. You can face the beautiful nature outside, or you can observe what’s going on in the world through the television. Alternatively, you can face others in the room. Whichever angle you choose, this is definitely a place for interaction, rather than isolation. The Raymond and Susan Brochstein Pavilion is not far from downtown Houston

Nestled in the campus of Rice University

It is a little haven surrounded by trees which are surrounded by buildings

The calming landscaping lies between the pavilion and the library

Here is a great video featuring impressions of the Brochstein Pavilion, including comments from the landscape architect, James Burnett

Something I observed from this video is that the landscape is just as important to the purpose of the building as the main structure itself. The landscape architect did an incredible job tying the space surrounding the pavilion into a fluid meeting place, inspiring just to pass through on the way to class.

A Link to a Flickr Photo that shows the Brochstein in a different light. It is raining and yet I image how pleasant it would be to sit inside the glass building experiencing the weather protected, but in such a light structure that the barrier is minimum, the feeling is vivid and the effect is serene.

A quote from the Architectural Record Website: http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/portfolio/archives/0903brochstein-1.asp

“The pavilion exhibits extraordinary restraint, treading lightly, indeed almost floating amid the robust masonry edifices while at the same time it acknowledges the traditional architectural

environment in its symmetry, overhangs, and porticoes… The building’s four, column-punctuated sides are almost identical, but all interact with the site in unique ways. The pavilion follows a Classical model without resorting to historicist pastiche. It is a temple, albeit one that evokes a Texan, or southern, vernacular—a similar spirit is captured by Renzo Piano’s nearby Menil Collection Museum building, another airy, low-slung volume with light-filtering canopies shading deep verandas.”
This poetic quote explains to me how exactly this building brings the traditional architecture at Rice together with this modern work and the environment.

From an article in Texas Architecture, "A Well Centered Campus," I learned several new details about the building. First, before it was conceived, the plan was to build a cyber cafe as an extension to the library. The article did not say why that plan never came to fruition, but instead, using the open land in between the library and other buildings that wasn't being utilized was decided on.

When I first saw an image of the Brochstein Pavilion, I wondered what those white structure on the roof are. I found the answer to that question in this article. They are sun shades that reduce intense sun heat during the day and reflect light upward by night. This building was purposed to collaborate with nature in as many ways as possible so that the user feels at ease. An interesting structural element that aids this, is the indoor flooring is even with the patio's and the grass surrounding. I think, this is the building equivalent to an infinity pool.

Of course, I cannot understand a building without learning about it's architect and the inspiration that caused it to be. When reading about Thomas Phifer and Partners I learned that part of their success in making ground breaking, beloved buildings is their ability to collaborate well. He is committed to knowing all the latest technologies and researching to further them. From the Iowa home to the Brochstein Pavilion, he uses similar large glass, trellises, and sun shades. The result is that so much is expressed in his lovely buildings, though they are minimalistic in essence.

Works Cited

Colbert, Thomas. "A Well-Centered Campus Brochstein Pavilion, Rice University]." Texas architect 58.1 (2009): 46-51. Print.

Broome, Beth. “Raymond and Susan Brochstein Pavilion.” Architectural Record. n.p. 2009. Web. 4 Feb 2015.

Frances, Scott. Photograph. “Raymond and Susan Brochstein Pavilion.” Architectural Record. n.p. 2009. Web. 4 Feb 2015.

“Salento at Brochstein Pavilion.” Rice University. Rice University. n.d. Web. 4 Feb 2015.

“The Brochstein Pavilion.” Hamilton. Hamilton Shirts. 3 Dec 2009. Web. 4 Feb 2015.

Floor plan. Architectural Record. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 2015. Web. 4 Feb 2015. <http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/portfolio/archives/0903brochstein/6.asp>

Amelar, Sarah. Thomas Phifer and Partners. New York: Publishers Group UK, 2010. Print.

Office of James Burnett. “The Brochstein Pavilion at Rice University.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 15 Sep 2010. Web. 4 Feb 2015.

Paul Hester. “The Brochstein Pavilion at Rice University.” Photograph. ASLA. American Society of Landscape Architects. 2010. Web. 4 Feb 2015.
Carl Mayfiled. "Brochstein Pavilion." Photograph. Carl Mayfield Photography. n.p. 2010. Web. 4 Feb 2015.

Moen, Amy. “Brochstein Pavilion Recommended Place to Visit by NY Times.” 

Photograph. Cardno. Hanes Whaley. 2010. Web. 4 Feb 2015.