This innovative new building brings together two powerhouse entities — Rice University and the Texas Medical Center — and enables their researchers to collaborate under one roof. The facility is strategically located to bridge the adjoining campuses of the two institutions.
At the building’s heart is a “collaborative hub,” a cylindrical volume that provides a venue for intellectual and social exchange. Each floor of the hub is open in plan and contains student workstations; a double-height lounge and open staircases foster informal interactions. The LEED® Gold facility also houses offices and a robust “scientific marketplace” — a communal area with imaging and microscopy labs, classrooms, a vivarium, and an auditorium. Amenities such as cafes, retail space, and an outdoor plaza are found at ground level.
