The Brochstein Pavilion

An Indoor Pavilion

The floor to ceiling windows provide a very open and inviting atmosphere while the vented trellis provides shade over the entire structure without blocking the natural breeze.

"Brochstein Pavilion / Thomas Phifer & Partners, The Office of James Burnett" 17 Mar 2009. ArchDaily. Web. 05 Feb. 2015. 

Houston, Texas -- Rice University
Architect: Thomas Phiver
Constructed: 2007-2008

The purpose of this building was to add a social environment for all students, faculty and staff at Rice University. There needed to be a public meeting spot for all members of the University to relax and socialize while being a little more connected to the nature around them. The Pavilion facilitates studying, events, receptions, and is home to the small restaurant and coffee shop Salento.

Architectural Plans:

Here a section shows the facilitation of a social environment while the plan shows the landscape and congregation area around and under the pavilion.
Hill, John. "Brochstein Pavilion." Brochstein Pavilion. Archidose, 09 Mar. 2009. Web. 04 Feb. 2015.

Durkin, Shawn. "PROJECT 02 BROCHSTEIN PAVILION IMAGES_ KAITLIN MUNDSTOCK & SHAWN DURKIN." STUDIO 01 MATERIAL PRACTICES. Tambornino Studios, 17 Sept. 2014. Web. 04 Feb. 2015.

Exterior:

The shading trellis of the pavilion is made of aluminum and supposedly blocks 70% of sunlight, while the steel and glass main frame create and outdoor feel even when the doors are closed.
"Brochstein Pavilion / Thomas Phifer & Partners, The Office of James Burnett" 17 Mar 2009. ArchDaily. Web. 05 Feb. 2015. 

Drawing:

I was sure to capture the view of the pavilion as seen by the observer, showing the steel pillars supporting the full trellis and embracing the perfectly geometric feel.

Print Sources:

This screenshot of a New York Times article describing the design and layout of the pavilion and mentions its purpose.

Lee, Denny. "36 Hours." New York Times (1923-Current file): 1. May 09 2010. ProQuest. Web. 5 Feb. 2015 .

In the book "Thomas Phifer and Partners" the authors take a look at the different projects completed by the young architect. They take time to describe the Brochstein Pavilion and explain its merge of modernism and simplicity.

Amelar, Sarah, and Steven Fox. Thomas Phifer and Partners. New York, NY: Enfield: Group, 2010. Print.

Interior:

An Outdoor Study Room: The open atmosphere the interior provides makes it a wonderful place to relax while enjoying coffee or even studying for finals.

A Birds Eye View:

The red pin shows the location of the pavilion. The Pavilion is located in the heart of Rice University, and is purposely centered near the center of campus in hopes of drawing all of the students there together.

Video Evidence:

This video shows Thomas Phifer talking about many of the projects he has completed over the years and he spends about 5 minutes talking about all of the history and design behind the pavilion.

First Hand Account:

My good friend of my years, Sean Cawthrone, attended Rice from 2007-2011. He was in attendance before and after construction and gave me this quote. "Before the Pavilion there was no reason to explore the campus. You either went to the building that housed your school, the library, or your dorm room. They actually created a fun place to hang out."

Personal Account:

I remember seeing the Brochstein Pavilion during my tour of Rice University. I don't think I caught the name of it then, but I recognised it when researching buildings to use for this project. The pavilion stood out to me that day because it was inherently different than all of the others. You could clearly see the modernism and beauty of the geometric structure. I remember all of the glass made the frame legitimately look like a skeleton.

Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/30525614@N02/6899975026/in/photolist-cgHSqs-djX1Sg-7NYkDt-eSsdDG-bJCXU6-7kra6e-7kv3Xw-bvJbbE-bvJbiC-bJCXtv-bJCXnX-bvJaDN-666o5Z-666owB-ar1ois-8ojE7n-8onQeG-5YzP8s-666pta-cvmn25-cvmFrJ-aY41dx-66aDjN-4HLSw7-eSsdsA-4HGEke-bzNer3-eSfNG6-91UFyk-eSfE1x-efvi56-8Usbdu-8Usbdb-8Usbdj-8Usbdd-8Usbd9-7Gy1hJ-8Usbdo-86jKnZ-86k788-86oryE-8HKC8L-8HPDqS-8HGuQH-67nkR3-8HGur2-67nkPJ-dung3E-67nkP7-bw2WRH

• I loved this picture because it really exposes the construction of the aluminum trellis. The aluminum looks so soft it almost appears to be made of painted wood.

Website Review:

http://www.archidose.org/Mar09/09/dose.html

On this website, the author, John Hill, makes this quote about the atmosphere of the areas surrounding the pavilion. "This led to a building detached from its closest neighbor, the Fondren Library; a new grove of trees planted between old and new creates an intimate outdoor gathering space. One notes that the paths actually run under the edge of the trellis, a precise alignment that extends the reach of the small building and draws people inside." The beauty of this pavilion is expanded immensely by the innate landscaping. The area looks like a mecca of nature bonding with modern architecture. I completely agree with this authors first-hand account.
Hill, John. "Brochstein Pavilion." Brochstein Pavilion. Archidose, 09 Mar. 2009. Web. 04 Feb. 2015.