Rachofsky Screen
The Rachofsky Residence, Dallas, Texas
Building architect: Richard Meier & Partners, New York
Engineer: Tony Broomhead, London
1994-1996

The Rachofsky Residence, designed by Richard Meier & Partners between 1994 and 1996 includes a gallery space for the display of the client’s extensive collection of modern art objects, and the adjoining dining room was conceived as a flexible space that could act as a buffet area in the event of a reception in the gallery.  It was suggested by the architect that JCDA propose a design for a glass screen between the two spaces, which could be lowered into the floor to allow flexible use of the space.
The concept for the screen grew from the variety of light conditions in the spaces surrounding the screen.  The bright lighting on the art objects in the gallery, the subtle light of a private candlelit dinner, or the daylight playing in different ways on either side of the screen led to the idea of a mutable surface that could have many varying appearances. Accordingly, the screen has two separate layers of glass, the crisp, subtle reflections of the coated side interacting with the blurred images of an acid-etched surface on the other side.
The screen consists of two stacks of glass panels with post-tensioned stainless steel rods between the stacks, effectively cantilevering the screen from a beam below the floor, using the glass to support itself. The beam slides up and down on a pair of columns on low-friction pads. Linked to it by a chain over an axle is a counterbalance beam filled with lead shot.  The whole system is driven by a small electric motor, linked by a separate drive chain to the axle.

Luke Lowings and James Carpenter (as JCDA) were responsible for design, fabrication and installation of the screen as a private commission.  It is proposed that the house will be donated to the city of Dallas as a museum.