East Coast architect selected for Rothko Chapel renovations, master plan

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Stephen Cassell of New York-based Architecture Research Office. Enlarge

Stephen Cassell of New York-based Architecture Research Office. In This Article

Arts Topic Commercial Real Estate Industry Lynn Wyatt Person Stephen Cassell Person

By Cara Smith – Reporter, Houston Business Journal Nov 2, 2016, 2:58pm

An East Coast-based design firm will have a broad impact on one of Houston's internationally renowned culture institutions.

New York-based Architecture Research Office was selected to lead a series of renovations of the Rothko Chapel, including improvements to its lighting system. The firm will also design an updated master plan for the chapel's grounds, improve the Rothko's HVAC system and the area surrounding the Broken Obelisk, a longstanding sculpture that is currently undergoing structural repairs in Connecticut.

Those repairs and improvements could be financed in-part through funds raised in an auction that the Rothko held in the spring. The A-list auction included some couture pieces from Houston's Lynn Wyatt and as contributions her friends such as Elton John, Wes Andrson and Tilda Swinton.

Stephen Cassell with Architecture Research Office said the firm is still in the "very early" planning phases and a timeline on any construction isn't clear yet. This is also the firm's second Houston-area project; its first was working on Pennsylvania-based Knoll Furniture's relocation of its Houston office and showroom to San Felipe Place from Williams Tower last year.

Cassell talked about the significance of the Rothko project for the firm, as well as how Houston is emerging as an international hub for art and culture.

How extensive was the bid process for this job?

It was a pretty long process – (around) four months or so. A good chunk of time. Getting the job was based on depth of experience more than presenting a specific master plan. The chapel is such a special place and we need to learn more about its history and goals before we can present any ideas.

How does this differ from other projects you’ve worked on?

Well, what's so wonderful is that there's nothing else in the world like the chapel. It's such a powerful, beautiful space. We like to think we work on and create powerful, beautiful spaces, but there's nothing else like these panels in the world. Trending Banking & Financial Services JPMorgan Chase to close operating units in Houston, impacting 102 jobs JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) recently informed Houston employees that it will cut 102 local jobs this fall. Manufacturing Woodlands-based chemicals and plastics distributor sold for $2B Illinois-based Univar Inc. will acquire The Woodlands-based Nexeo Solutions Inc. in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately $2 billion, including the assumption of Nexeo's debt. Bizspace ESPERSON : Houston’s Architectural Bridge Connecting the Past to the Present Sponsored Listing

Certainly, every project is different, but we're dealing with such a strong existing space. The lighting will be very different and the experience will be stronger. Our goal is to strengthen the original intent of Rothko.

The other aspect of the project is looking at a master plan for the property, and the landscape and what they need in the future. The chapel has a whole series of events … so we need to make sure their grounds support the work they do, whether that's renovating bungalows or adding new meeting spaces.

What are some of the unique challenges that this project brings?

I think there are a couple of things. One challenge is that it's clear that Houston is going through this real change in terms of its arts culture moving to one of the best in the country and the world. It's really both exciting and challenging seeing how the work on the Rothko can work with how Houston frames itself as a culture capital.

One thing we really love is to work with a lot of unique organizations and understand what their long-term goals are and what makes this special, and how (the Menil family) founded the chapel. The space is so unusual – it's really different from any project anyone has ever done.

Do you see your firm continuing to work in Houston?

Yeah, I think so. It's a really exciting place right now, both in terms of the quality of architecture that's happening with Steven Holl's project and the MFAH (Museum of Fine Arts Houston) right now, and there's a whole series of projects at Rice University. We see it as an exciting new place to do work in. I think there is a real understanding that's happening in Houston where the importance of architecture has (been realized).