Metropolis Magazine recently profiled William T. Cannady Hall in an article highlighting its innovative terra cotta rain screen. Designed by Swiss firm Karamuk Kuo, the 22,000-square-foot building reimagines Rice’s architectural language with a forward-looking approach. Its custom ceramic rain screen, fabricated by Boston Valley Terra Cotta, combines historical reference with climate responsiveness—minimizing solar heat gain, allowing glare-free daylight, and improving durability and ease of maintenance.
The article also underscores the sustainable benefits of the building’s design, from its bolted steel frame that allows for future disassembly and reuse, to the rain screen’s low environmental impact compared to conventional materials like concrete or aluminum. Located along Rice’s historic quad, Cannady Hall connects to MD Anderson Hall via skyway and houses a public gallery, flexible collaboration spaces, and a fabrication shop. With its thoughtful integration of tradition, innovation, and sustainability, Cannady Hall offers a model for adaptable, community-oriented architecture.