Rice University today held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new $54.5 million Jones School of Business building, unveiling an innovative facility design that will support the school's growing student and faculty population.
The new 112,000 square foot building features vibrant amenities including state-of-the-art classrooms, modern office space, dining areas, open gathering spaces, and facilities for private events. The new building will integrate seamlessly with McNair Hall, the current home of Rice Business, and will continue to enhance the campus environment and foster a collaborative culture.
“This remarkable new building embodies the evolution of Rice Business over the past 50 years and the company's commitment to developing graduates who are not only essential to organizations around the world, but also ready to lead them. ,” said Rice President Reginald Desroches. “We are committed to providing top-class facilities that complement our top-class academic programs and attracting the best students, faculty and staff to our campus.”
Rice Business has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years with new undergraduate business majors, increased enrollment in the full-time MBA program, and new programs such as MBA@Rice and hybrid MBA. I participate in campus residence every year. The school has increased its faculty by 41% to support new programs and an increased student population. Additionally, Rice Business hosts major annual events such as the Rice Business Plan Competition, the Rice Energy Finance Summit, and the Women's Leadership Conference.
“We are energized by the momentum of innovative new programs, the addition of new faculty and students, and new prospects for the future,” said Peter Rodriguez, dean of the Jones School of Business. “Our commitment is to attract more talented and innovative students, faculty and staff to Rice University and to further advance our programs and research capabilities. This wonderful new facility will help us deliver on that promise. It’s essential.”
Architecture Research Office (ARO) will lead the building design, and Houston-based Kirksey Architecture will serve as the project's executive architect. Skanska and his 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 a variety of teaching and learning styles, including traditional lectures and informal collaboration. Two 120-seat classrooms, two 65-seat classrooms, and breakout rooms throughout the building support enrollment growth and team-based learning.
This facility expansion expands Rice Business' world-class innovation and leadership development capabilities as a hub for collaborative and interdisciplinary thinking. This allows rice businesses to:
- Establish a hub for undergraduate business education.
- Centralize resources for Rice's top-ranked entrepreneurship programs.
- Provides a multi-purpose space for entrepreneurship competitions, events and accelerators.
- Introducing an innovative event venue for faculty, staff, students, and the broader Rice community.
- It will be the premier venue for speakers from Houston and the global business community, allowing students to connect with top organizations and minds in business.
- Leading efforts on global challenges such as energy transition, finance and healthcare.
The new building will extend around the existing building, creating new public spaces between both. Designed to blend seamlessly into the campus and its surroundings, the exterior includes a serrated brick façade, red clay tile roof, and cast stone trim to deflect sunlight and keep the interior cool. The use of glazed brick in bond and herringbone patterns pays homage to the traditional materials found on campus. The new building will be constructed over the existing underground parking garage and will include flood protection to increase the school's resilience to extreme weather events.
“The opportunity to design a building on Rice's historic and incredibly beautiful campus comes with tremendous responsibility,” said ARO President Stephen Cassel. “Our mission is to provide a forward-looking structure that embodies the future focus of our growing Rice business.”
The new building surrounds Woodson's courtyard with a glass facade and coffered ceiling with skylights, creating a shaded atrium and landing space. His triple-height walkway, called The Walk, will connect the courtyard with the new West Commons. Ground floor dining facilities open to an outdoor shaded terrace, merging indoor and outdoor spaces. The atrium will be a central hub for community gatherings with a large event space on the second floor.
Rice Business has begun fundraising toward its $40 million project support goal.
“Donor support has been and will continue to be an important part of this project,” Rodriguez said. “I would like to thank our alumni and donors who have already contributed. This is a unique moment in our school’s history, especially as we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year.”
Learn more about the new building and how you can be a part of the future of Rice Business.
Check out videos and photos from today's groundbreaking event here.