University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) Wellness and Success Center, Houston

by Christopher Brinckerhoff | 10 January 2025 6:00 am

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The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) Wellness and Success Center, a 6,875 m² (74,000 sf) facility, is a beacon for student wellness and community engagement, integrating cutting-edge design with sustainable construction solutions. A vital component of this project was using metal composite material (MCM), which was carefully selected for its durability, aesthetic appeal, and performance. The project also highlights the essential collaboration between contractors, architects, and material suppliers to achieve a high-quality, cost-effective outcome.

Located downtown, the Wellness and Success Center serves a diverse student body and aims to create a vibrant campus hub. The building’s design features two intersecting volumes, each serving distinct programmatic needs while maximizing city skyline views and a nearby bayou. To achieve the bold design, the project team turned to MCM for its ability to deliver structural and aesthetic benefits.

One of the project’s significant challenges was the site’s constraints, particularly its proximity to the future I-10 interstate and floodway regulations. The building was elevated about
3 m (10 ft) above the existing grade to mitigate flood risks, creating a dramatic entry plaza while maintaining a streamlined footprint. To complement the dynamic, interlocking forms of the building, architects at SmithGroup sought a cladding material that could capture the building’s modern aesthetic while remaining functional in a demanding urban environment. MCM was used for its lightweight, durable, and versatile properties.

The decision to use MCM also addressed the project’s budget concerns. Initially, the design featured a brick facade to align with surrounding campus buildings. However, the design team collaborated with the contractor to switch to MCM panels with an exposed fastener system to reduce construction costs while maintaining a high-end look. This adjustment allowed the team to achieve the desired aesthetic: complementing the
red-orange brick tones of the neighboring buildings. Concurrently, it maximized material yield and minimized labor costs. The result was a striking, cost-effective solution that retained the project’s architectural integrity.

Universal Sheet Metal Inc., the project’s installer, played a pivotal role in executing the vision. The team installed 1,640 m² (17,650 sf) of MCM panels finished in silicone modified polyester-textured Terracotta, , a shade that subtly references local brick and ties into the building’s natural palette. The panels were mounted with an exposed fastener system, ensuring ease of installation and long-term durability. The textured finish of the MCM panels not only enhanced the aesthetic quality of the building but also provided the necessary weather resistance to withstand Houston’s humid climate.

The Wellness and Success Center’s design integrates large windows, which frame picturesque views of downtown Houston, the bayou, and the surrounding campus. MCM panels were used strategically to accentuate these openings while providing solar heat control. On the east and west facades, vertical glazing deep within the wall assembly minimizes solar heat gain, balancing natural light with views of the vibrant campus surroundings. MCM was essential in maintaining the building’s energy efficiency while achieving the architect’s vision for an open, light-filled wellness space.

Owner: University of Houston System, Houston
General contractor: Vaughn Construction, Houston, vaughnconstruction.com[2]
Architect: SmithGroup, Dallas, smithgroup.com[3]
Installer: Universal Sheet Metal Inc., Houston, usminc.net[4]
Metal wall panels: 3A Composites USA, Davidson, N.C., alucobondusa.com[5]

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/projects/education/university-of-houston/

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