Rice’s arts scene has experienced significant growth since the late 1960s, initiated by Dominique and John de Menil. Their efforts, along with a team of art historians, led to the establishment of an art library and a photography and film program. Building on this foundation, a generous contribution from Susan and Fayez Sarofim is paving the way for the creation of Sarofim Hall: a dynamic 83,000-square-foot facility designed by the renowned firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
Sarofim Hall aims to seamlessly integrate and connect the arts on campus. This multifunctional space will feature a state-of-the-art cinema, a flexible performance lab, adaptable classrooms and workshops. It’s designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and experimentation, creating a research-driven creative ecosystem at the heart of contemporary art.
The new facility addresses three key objectives: meeting the increasing student demand for humanities courses, providing an innovative center for art faculty and students and solidifying the campus’s southwest corner as a vibrant arts district.
Sarofim Hall, designed with homage to the former Rice Media Center and Art Barn, will be an inventive take on the prefabricated building. Its striking design, created by Rice alumnus Charles Renfro and his team, transforms the structure into an extroverted minicampus. This design invites students, faculty and the public into protected exterior spaces, fostering engagement with the arts at Rice.
Tentative construction timeline:
- Site preparation work: March-June 2024
- Foundations (concrete pours): April-September 2024
- Steel erection: July-November 2024
- Dried in (all exterior walls and roof complete): by Feb. 2025 (interior construction continues thereafter)
- Building occupancy: Summer 2025