Rothko Chapel

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Rothko Chapel

The renewal of the Rothko Chapel illuminates the interior under a new skylight.

Credit

Elizabeth Felicella

Site overview

The Philip Johnson-designed Rothko Chapel is situated one block west of the University of St. Thomas campus, with which it was originally affiliated. Although originally conceived as a Catholic chapel, it soon became an independent, interfaith place for spiritual contemplation and has been called the world’s first broadly ecumenical center. Artist Mark Rothko’s extensive input in the Chapel’s architectural design resulted in marked interplay between his paintings and the building’s plan. Unlike with his two previously commissioned series—the 1958 murals originally intended for the Four Seasons Restaurant in New York City’s Seagram building, and the 1962 murals for the Holyoke Center at Harvard—Rothko was not painting for a pre-designed space but rather was able to help shape the setting for his work. The chapel is significant not only as a work of modernist architecture but also, because of Rothko’s paintings, as a work of modern art. As such, the Chapel blurs the line between architecture and art, challenging this distinction in both its aesthetic effect and in the struggle involved in Johnson and Rothko’s collaboration in its design

Rothko Chapel

Site overview

The Philip Johnson-designed Rothko Chapel is situated one block west of the University of St. Thomas campus, with which it was originally affiliated. Although originally conceived as a Catholic chapel, it soon became an independent, interfaith place for spiritual contemplation and has been called the world’s first broadly ecumenical center. Artist Mark Rothko’s extensive input in the Chapel’s architectural design resulted in marked interplay between his paintings and the building’s plan. Unlike with his two previously commissioned series—the 1958 murals originally intended for the Four Seasons Restaurant in New York City’s Seagram building, and the 1962 murals for the Holyoke Center at Harvard—Rothko was not painting for a pre-designed space but rather was able to help shape the setting for his work. The chapel is significant not only as a work of modernist architecture but also, because of Rothko’s paintings, as a work of modern art. As such, the Chapel blurs the line between architecture and art, challenging this distinction in both its aesthetic effect and in the struggle involved in Johnson and Rothko’s collaboration in its design

Awards

Design

Award of Excellence

Civic

A Civic/Institutional Design Award of Excellence is given for the restoration of the Rothko Chapel, a mid-twentieth century masterpiece begun in 1964 as a collaboration between Philip Johnson and Mark Rothko and completed in 1971 by Eugene Aubry and Howard Barnstone. The long-awaited restoration was initiated in anticipation of the Chapel’s 50th anniversary with the goal of restoring the visitor’s sense of awe and creating a campus grounded in both the singular power of the Chapel and the unique character of the neighborhood. The project addressed several challenges that have disrupted the original vision of the Chapel. Rothko’s original daylit vision of his artwork is finally realized with a new skylight that directs daylight through to the walls and away from the floor and ceiling, allowing visitors to read more depth into the paintings. The system also discretely integrates lighting and AV equipment to minimize its visual impact. In the 1990s, the original sequence of movement into the vestibule was altered, eroding the sense of quiet contemplation. The new sequence prioritizes accessibility and visitor interaction with the art and moves other activities to the new Welcome House across the street. To address increased hurricane activity brought on by climate change, the concrete masonry unit walls were reinforced, removable floodgates were installed, and the HVAC and an emergency generator were placed in the new elevated Energy Building. 

"The restoration should be commended for its thoughtful planning and modifications which create a more inviting and workable campus in conjunction with the mission and physical access to the Chapel.”

- John T. Reddick, 2021 Jury member

"This restoration gave everyone exactly what they wanted. Meticulously and flawlessly executed, it does not disappoint.”

 

- Kelsey Keith, 2021 Jury member
Client

Rothko Chapel

Restoration Team

ARO Team: Stephen Cassell, Adam Yarinsky (Principals); Neil Patel (Project Director); Alissa Chastain (Project Manager); Jayne Choi, John Collamore, Cameron DeLargy, Yannik Neufang, Luke Winata (Project Team); Matthew Bohne (Renderings) 
 
Consultants: Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects (Landscape Architects); George Sexton Associates (Lighting Designer); Guy Nordenson and Associates (Structural Engineer); Collaborative Engineering Group (MEP/FP + IT/Security Engineers); Walter P. Moore (Civil Engineer); Threshold Acoustics LLC (Acoustics & Audiovisual Consultant); Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (Envelope); The Projects Group (Owner’s Representative); Cardno Haynes Whaley (Structural Engineering/Structural Forensics); Minor Design (Graphic Design/Wayfinding); Code Doctor LP. (Code Consultant); Construction Specifications, Inc. (Specifications); Linbeck Group (General Contractor) 

Primary classification

Religious

Designations

U.S. National Register of Historic Places, listed on September 16, 2000

Author(s)

Tatum Taylor | | 2/2/2011

How to Visit

Open to the public

Location

1409 Sul Ross
Houston, TX, 77006

Country

US
More visitation information

The renewal of the Rothko Chapel illuminates the interior under a new skylight.

Credit:

Elizabeth Felicella

Designer(s)

Other designers

Mark Rothko

Related News

Commission

1964

Completion

1971