Bringing New Light: 50 years of the Rothko Chapel

Join Architecture Center Houston on Wednesday, July 14 at 6pm for a virtual moderated discussion with George Sexton and Owen Brady of George Sexton Associates; and Neil Patel, AIA, and Alissa Chastain of Architecture Research Office (ARO) who will discuss their roles with the recent restoration of the Rothko Chapel. The presentations will be followed by a moderated conversation with Gregory Benjamin, AIA, Houston Architecture Foundation Board Member.

Last year the Rothko Chapel completed a major restoration project with the intent of bringing Mark Rothko’s original vision to fruition.  Spearheaded by Architecture Research Office (ARO), New York, with lighting experts George Sexton Associates, the two worked on the chapel’s renovation, including a new skylight and baffle system which fundamentally changes the way the art and space are perceived.

Commissioned by John and Dominique de Menil in 1964 for the site-specific paintings of Mark Rothko. The painter and original architect Philip Johnson clashed over their differing ideas for the building, and the designs subsequently went through several revisions, resulting in a space that often felt shadowy and dark, making it difficult to appreciate the large contemplative paintings.

Image couresty of ARO

AIA Credit: 1.0 LU