A Touch of Glass
This spring, Rice’s increasingly diverse community will find it easier than ever to meet in the middle. Situated near Fondren Library in the existing Central Quadrangle, the 6,042-square-foot Raymond and Susan Brochstein Pavilion aims to become the center of campus attention with attractive features such as plasma screens, upholstered chairs and couches, a coffee bar and light snacks. The project was funded by a generous gift from Rice alumnus and former trustee Raymond Brochstein ’55 and his wife, Susan.
“The pavilion is sure to become a landmark as well as the social center of the campus,” said Barbara White Bryson, associate vice president for Facilities, Engineering and Planning. “It will be available to students, faculty, staff and visitors who would like to enjoy a great cup of coffee, light refreshment and lively campus activity.”
The pavilion’s design is inspired by one of Rice’s most distinguishing features — the campus’s more than 4,000 trees. The clear-glass building allows for unimpeded views of the surrounding foliage, and its 10,728-square-foot wraparound plaza features a trellis roof designed to filter natural light in much the same way tree leaves do. The pavilion also will incorporate a number of sustainable characteristics, including natural lighting from light scoops and a heating and air conditioning system fed from the floor.
“It will be a haven where people can meet, study and recharge from early in the morning until late at night — in full view of the greenery that makes Rice such a special place,” Bryson said.