Rhodes Coffey
Martel Residential College

Rhodes Coffey, a mechanical engineering major, worked in a multi-disciplinary team with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston to develop custom archival solutions for priceless works from the museum’s permanent collection. The newly established “Engineering Design for Art and Artifact Conservation” program included class instruction, design work and collaboration with Rice faculty advisors Dr. Maria Oden, Professor in the Practice of Engineering Education and Director of the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen, and Dr. Matthew Wettergreen.

The team selected five priceless three-dimensional pieces to develop storage design solutions. The team worked together on the largest piece, La sordidez, created by Antonio Berni in 1964, and each team member also served as the project leader for one of the smaller pieces. Rhodes served as the project leader for the storage of a marble bust, Portrait of a Gentleman, created by the workshop of Gian-Lorenzo Bernini that dates back to the end of the 17th century. Other team members worked under Rhodes’ direction for that piece and contributed to the design process. Additionally, the team assisted the faculty advisors in the development of a course addressing civic engagement from a multi-disciplinary approach.