Rice University’s new engineering and science building opens
A Skidmore Owings & Merrill case study
The newest and largest research facility in Rice University’s historic core campus — the Ralph S. O’Connor Building for Engineering and Science is now open. The 250,000 square foot O’Connor Building provides students and researchers with technology-rich facilities that align with the university’s goal to stay at the forefront of scientific discovery and to recruit the country’s best scientific and engineering minds. Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report, and the O’Connor Building will only elevate this standing.
An epicenter for interdisciplinary collaboration, the new high-performance facility includes state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms, offices, a café, as well as many interactive gathering spaces. A multipurpose event space with an outdoor terrace sits at the top level, offering views of the campus and the Houston skyline.