Rice University, The Humanities Building

The Humanities Building at Rice University is an integral part of the historic academic quadrangle designed by Ralph Adams Cram between 1910 and 1916. Following the example of Cram’s buildings, the plan grew into a Z configuration, which facilitated the creation of a new courtyard to house an ancient oak tree. The building is a fulcrum, creating and extending new axes, arcades, and pathways to various parts of the campus. The ninety-foot-high Pitman Tower, visible from all parts of the campus, is the main entrance and focal point of the new building.

The façade expands upon the Byzantine-Romanesque architectural language established by Cram a century ago. The primary materials include brick, limestone, cast stone, glazed brick and glazed ceramic tile. The façade undergoes subtle changes as it wraps around the building so that each part is different from all the others.

Morris Architects of Houston, Texas, were our collaborators on this building.