Rice University’s New Architecture Hall Revives Terra-Cotta Tradition

The recent popularity of the ceramic rain screen illustrates how a tried-and-true architectural material‚ terra-cotta, is “able to respond to the ambitions of architects,” says Jeannette Kuo, cofounder of Karamuk Kuo. The Zurich-based firm recently completed the William T. Cannady Hall for Architecture, a 22,000-square-foot multipurpose addition to the Rice School of Architecture, located within the university’s historic quad in Houston. Cannady Hall’s steel frame, industrial sawtooth roofline, and glazed terra-cotta facade complement the adjacent brick masonry of MD Anderson Hall, which the new addition connects to via a skyway. 

“Handmade, kiln-fired St. Joe’s brick and Spanish tile roofs are the language of the campus,” Kuo remarks. Rather than build in the school’s typical Gothic Revival style, Kuo and team were challenged to combine the classic and contemporary, creating a building that would have “greater impact in the coming years and adapt their pedagogy to the 21st century,” she adds. 

The design process was driven by extensive research and interviews. “There was no initial brief,” she says. “I camped out there for an entire week…and came back with a huge transcript of conversations.” Short-listed with four other foreign firms, Karamuk Kuo was selected to create a space that addressed the campus’s desire for adaptable infrastructure. The resulting design incorporates a public gallery, flexible collaboration spaces, and a state-of-the-art fabrication shop, all within an airy, multiuse volume clad in an eco-friendly ceramic rain screen. 

Terra-Cotta Facade Design and Climate Considerations

The custom-designed terra-cotta facade, fabricated by Boston Valley Terra Cotta, extends the roofline with more than 5,000 square feet of panels and louvers. The system is ideal for Houston’s hot and humid climate, as it prevents condensation from building up, reduces solar heat gain, and allows for dappled, glare-free sunlight. “For a university, ease of repair and durability are also major advantages,” Kuo says of the material. 

The open and covered spaces on the second floor integrate with the rain screen, creating dynamic thresholds between indoors and outdoors, while those interacting with the building are offered their own unique experiences. Kuo believes the recent renaissance of ceramic facades is tied to its historical significance but also its sustainable properties. Widely used in early 20th-century architecture, particularly in high-rises by architects like Louis Sullivan, terra-cotta fell out of favor as fully glazed glass dominated midcentury design. “Terra-cotta was almost a lost art form,” Kuo says. 

Exploring Terra-Cotta and its Role in Architecture

Today, Boston Valley Terra Cotta is one of a few American-based terra-cotta companies, its product chosen by the university not only  for quicker shipping amid the pandemic but also for reducing the carbon footprint of such a project. Although the quarrying, production, and transportation of architectural terra-cotta have environmental implications, its exceptional longevity, minimal upkeep, and reduced emissions compared with popular building materials like concrete, glass, and aluminum help offset its impact. Additionally, Boston Valley Terra Cotta sources within 500 miles of its New York plant and utilizes recycled materials in each run.

Cannady Hall’s design serves as a case study for contextually driven architecture, its central positioning providing an open courtyard for both students and Houston residents to enjoy. By merging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary performance requirements, the project highlights how innovative, recyclable materials can address pressing sustainability requirements while respecting and challenging the school’s distinct identity. 

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BIG AND STRONG

These large-format facade options offer durability and material richness.