RAD Center – University of Houston

Developer/Owner: University of Houston System

General Contractor: Cornerstone General Contractors

Architect: Perkins and Will

Engineer: Henderson Engineers

Installer: Timberlyne Group

SmartLam Customer: Cornerstone General Contractors

Mass Timber Dining and Social Hub

The University of Houston’s new Retail, Auxiliary, and Dining (RAD) Center reimagines the former Student Center Satellite site as a vibrant social hub. Completed in 2024, this two-story, 3,808 m² mass timber facility blends sustainability, wellness, and hospitality to create a warm, open, and inviting space for the campus community.

Sustainability and Wellness in Focus

The RAD Center prioritizes human-centered design, life safety, and environmental responsibility. Its mass timber structure, supplied by SmartLam and fabricated by Timberlyne Group, supports the university’s sustainability goals while enhancing interior warmth and acoustic comfort. Daylit, open interiors feature large windows and exposed timber elements that foster transparency and a calming atmosphere. Construction was carefully staged to minimize disruption, with the second phase completed seamlessly during the academic year to ensure uninterrupted student life.

A Contextual Building Inspired by Tradition

Designed with a bold mass timber structure and rich material expression, the RAD Center delivers both function and beauty:

Project Highlights

• Multilayered Solid Wood Construction: The use of large mass timber panels showcases structural innovation while emphasizing sustainability.
• Vertical Façade Rhythms and Transparency: Timber columns and repeating façade elements mirror the natural surroundings, with glazed openings that connect indoor activity to the campus woodlands.
• Outdoor Dining & Community Connection: Two levels of patio seating provide space for up to 400 guests to dine and socialize while enjoying expansive campus views.