Rice Data Center, Houston, TX (2006-2007)
The Rice Data Center (RDC) is a 25,400 sq. ft. data center that consolidates all of Rice’s data needs into one primary facility. The highly secured and protected environment is meant to guarantee a constant 24 hour run for the University’s data networks. It provides server floors, mechanical infrastructure, support spaces, and shell space for future expansion. The primary exterior material for the two buildings is a customized tilt-up concrete wall system designed to give each building’s envelope a protective and distinct opacity. The varied cascading pattern and profile of the concrete panels animates while scaling down each building’s large windowless mass. Painted a bright fluorescent green, the building acquires the presence of a geometric topiary across a vast green field.
