A New Campus for the Rothko Chapel | Houston, Texas | 2020

Architects: Architecture Research Office
Design Team: Stephen Cassell, Adam Yarinsky, Neil Patel, Alissa Chastain, Jayne Choi, John Collamore, Cameron DeLargy, Yannik Neufang, and Luke Winata
Owner’s Representative: The Projects Group
Client: Rothko Chapel
Contractor: Linbeck Group
Landscape Architects: Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects

The renewal of the Rothko Chapel building realizes Mark Rothko’s original vision and the expansion of its campus strengthens the Chapel’s mission of social action for future generations. John and Dominique de Menil founded the Rothko Chapel as a place for spiritual enlightenment through art and as an institution dedicated to social engagement and action. The design challenge was two-fold: to restore the sense of awe that visitors experience in the presence of Mark Rothko’s fourteen monumental paintings; and to create a new campus which is grounded in both the singular power of the Chapel and the unique character of the neighborhood, without overwhelming them. Chapel Renovation and Restoration The Chapel renovation and restoration renews the physical fabric of the building to serve generations to come.

The scope of this work includes reinforcing the structure of the Chapel, strengthening the existing masonry walls, repairing the original brick exterior, replacing the roof, adding flood protection at the doors, and relocating HVAC equipment to a new energy house with an emergency generator. Within, the design addresses every aspect of the visitor experience. Major modifications to daylight and electric light correct the longstanding problems associated with the control of glare and brightness. A new skylight with a custom light-diffusing assembly more evenly distributes daylight to the walls, enhancing appreciation of the Rothko panels.

Concealed around the skylight are digital projectors that illuminate the walls, flexible event lighting and new audio-visual and security systems. New acoustic treatments replace existing wall and ceiling finishes to absorb ambient interior sound and new doors to block exterior noise. The entry sequence is redesigned, with visitor orientation and the bookstore relocated to a new Welcome House across the street. The existing vestibule is reconfigured to ease the transition between inside and outside, including removing non-original glass partitions and adding benches and custom furnishings that serve the entry program.

The landscape design affirms the Chapel’s presence within the informality of existing trees and the surrounding neighborhood and further improves the visitor experience. A New North Campus Connected to the Chapel grounds across Sul Ross Street, a new north campus is an ensemble including the Suzanne Deal Booth Welcome House (Phase I), Program Center, Archive and Office building, Energy House (Phase I) and relocated guest house. The Welcome House and an Energy House are the first completed elements of the north campus, mediating between the scale of the Chapel and the homes along the street. The simple building forms are clad in gray wood siding with areas of glazing defining public spaces. Visually open and porch-like with its shaded roof trellis and two walls matching the Chapel’s brick, the Welcome House orients visitors and includes lockers, restrooms, and exhibition space. Set back from the street, the Program Center (Phase II) will contain a large daylit multipurpose room and provides greater capacity for public programs. The project is targeting LEED v 4.0 certification.