Great Food, Greater People

When the University of Houston broke ground on a new food hall in spring 2022, graduate student Christopher Caldwell had a prediction.

“This will not just be another food court,” said Caldwell, the chair of the Food Services Advisory Committee, “but rather a student-centered space on campus that is comfortable and welcoming to everyone.”

In fact, community was one of the core design concepts of the Retail Auxiliary and Dining Center (RAD Center), courtesy of the global design practice Perkins & Will.

“It’s a space that will ignite the senses, while fostering a sense of community.” -Diana Davis, RAD Center designer

Within the two-story, 41,000-foot facility, which stands on the site of the former Student Center Satellite building, the designers planned for large community tables where friends can gather en masse. For those seeking a bit of serenity, there is an outdoor patio where students and patrons can enjoy views of the campus’ trees and public art. And for those who want to see how the magic happens, the design team incorporated “action seats,” providing unparalleled views of how fresh food is turned into savory meals.

“Your home is your first place, school is your second place and we want the food hall to be a student’s third space,” Caldwell continued.

Now, roughly two years later, the RAD Center opened its doors to campus with a coffee bar and a convenience store, and by fall 2024, the facility will feature diverse food concepts for different palates and diets. Once fully operational, it will have the capacity to serve up to 400 customers at a time; the new addition is well on its way to becoming that “third place” for Cougars across campus.

If the new addition to campus feels a little familiar, that, too, is by design.

From the start, the University and the designers wanted to create a building that blended with — and respected — its surroundings. That’s why, for example, the construction team prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions and their building materials. Further, the color palette reflects the vibrant colors that were already present on campus, while touches like the patio and the reflective glass on the second story provide vis- itors with another way to admire the UH campus.

Of course, the RAD Center includes plenty of structural flourishes, too. The vertical facade rhythms reflect popular design aesthetic of the 20th century while also giving the building a decidedly contemporary look. Additionally, the upper part of the rooftop seamlessly transitions into lanterns in the evening — giving the space a cozy, homey feel.

Each of these choices help deliver on designer Diana Davis’ promise to “set the bar” for how buildings should interact with their environment.

“It’s a space that will ignite the senses,” she says, “while fostering a sense of community.”

In other words, the new RAD’s secret ingredient isn’t the food alone; it’s the unity it creates.