Rice University breaks ground on a new $54.5 million building for the Jones Graduate School of Business

Featured photo: Jones Graduate School of Business Dean Peter Rodriguez. Image: Jeff Fitlow.

Published: 05/19/2024

Houston (Harris County) — Rice University inaugurated the construction of a new $54.5 million building for the Jones Graduate School of Businessunveiling the innovative design of a facility that will support the school’s growing population of students and faculty.

The new 112,000 square foot structure features state-of-the-art classrooms, modern office spaces and dynamic amenities such as dining rooms, open gathering spaces and facilities for private events. The new building will fit perfectly into McNair Hall — the current home of Rice Business — by enhancing the campus environment and continuing to cultivate a collaborative culture.

“This remarkable new building embodies the evolution of Rice Business over the past five decades and its commitment to equipping graduates who are not only an integral part of organizations around the world, but are also prepared to lead them,” said the president. by Rice. Reginald DesRoches said. “We are committed to providing premier facilities that complement our premier academic programs, attracting the best students, faculty and staff to our campus. »

Architectural Research Office (ARO) is leading the design of the building, while Houston-based Kirksey Architecture is the project’s executive architect. Skanska and its joint venture partner, B. Bell Builders, are the general contractors. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2026.

The interior of the building is designed for different teaching and learning styles, including traditional lectures and informal collaborations. Two 120-seat classrooms, two 65-seat classrooms and small group work rooms located throughout the building will support increased enrollment and team-based learning.

The expanded facility will expand Rice Business’ capacity for world-class innovation and leadership development as a hub for collaborative, interdisciplinary thinking. This will allow Rice Business to:

• Create a home for undergraduate business education.
• Centralize resources for Rice’s top-ranked entrepreneurship programs.
• Offer multi-purpose spaces for competitions, events and entrepreneurship accelerators.
• Introduce innovative event venues for faculty, students and the broader Rice community.
• Become a premier venue for speakers from Houston and the global business community, allowing students to connect with the best organizations and minds in business.
• Leader in solving global challenges such as energy transition, finance, healthcare and more.

The new building will extend around the existing one, creating new public spaces in between. Designed to blend seamlessly with the campus and surrounding area, the exterior features a jagged brick facade that deflects sunlight and keeps the interior cool, a red clay tile roof, and cast stone trim. The use of glazed bricks in bond and herringbone patterns pays homage to the traditional materials found on campus. The new building will be built on top of an existing underground car park and will include flood protection measures to improve the school’s resilience to extreme weather conditions.

“The opportunity to design a building on Rice’s historic and exceptionally beautiful campus comes with enormous responsibility,” said the ARO director. Stephen Cassel said. “Our task is to provide a contextual but forward-looking structure that embodies Rice Business’s direction toward the future as it continues to grow.”

The new building contains the Woodson Court with a glass facade and coffered roof with a glass roof, creating a shaded atrium and landing space. A triple height path called The walk will connect the courtyard to a new Western municipalities. Dining facilities on the ground floor will extend outwards to a shaded terrace, blending indoor and outdoor spaces. The atrium will be a central hub for community gatherings with a larger event space on the second floor.

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