University of Houston RAD Center

Instead of using steel, the architects and engineers opted for a mass timber structure, and they sought to demonstrate its lower embodied carbon, lighter weight, and prefabrication potential to the university’s leadership. 

The team needed to evaluate and adapt the old student center’s foundations, by ascertaining loading capacity limits, reinforcing overloaded elements, and re-establishing load paths.

The mismatched column spacing in the existing structural grid did not align with the mass timber superstructure, requiring careful coordination to reconcile spacing and connection geometry.

The design team worked closely with the university to evaluate the details and benefits of the mass timber system. This also equipped them to operate and maintain the new building in the long run.

Removing the heavy concrete lid atop the original foundation allowed it to safely support the mass timber superstructure. We also used geofoam backfill to strategically reinforce the basement: a more cost-effective solution than upgrading the existing foundations.

Walter P Moore and Martinez Moore Engineers worked with the architects Perkins & Will to examine column grid layouts and optimize loading across the mass timber and steel superstructure. We also tested each structural bay to ensure that all performance criteria were met. 

The mass timber structure contributed to a reduction of 650 tons of embodied carbon. The RAD Center’s Energy Use Intensity is also 84% less than comparable buildings.

We reused 66 foundations and added only 11 belled piers, delivering the University of Houston’s desired program within a structure where reused elements comprise 45% of the new building’s total mass.

Our interventions saved over $1 million in construction costs and eliminated 420 cubic yards of foundation concrete, thereby reducing the project’s carbon footprint.