Hours after its ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, the redesigned Academic Quadrangle at Rice University had already become a central hub on campus where students felt welcome and connected. A celebration complete with a DJ, yard games and treats from The Boba Cart HTX, Pudgy’s Fine Cookies and Popfancy Pops marked the beginning of a new chapter for the center of campus.
“I love it,” said senior Sydney Bogan. “I think it really facilitates a more unified community.”
“It'll be a good place to just walk around and talk with people,” added freshman Jenna Brown.
The project, led by Thomas Woltz, senior principal of Nelson Byrd Woltz, reflects years of planning and feedback from the Rice community.
“Some of the hierarchy and layout of the pathway network was developed by carefully looking at aerials over time and seeing where students had voted with their footsteps as they traced visible lines,” Woltz said.
“Untrodden paths? I created those single-handedly,” said Bogan. “I swear, every time I was running late to class, I'm like, ‘Let me just cut the angles.’”
This observation led to the creation of more diagonal, organic pathways, veering away from the traditional rectilinear layout.
“Prior to the redesign, the quad was more just symbolic,” said Jae Kim, president of the Rice Student Association. “It looked like every other university’s quad — very geometric with a statue in the middle. But now it’s a space that meets student needs with social spaces and more curved lines.”
The addition of trees, shaded areas and seating has transformed the quad from a place students passed through to a destination.
“I love walking here,” said freshman Veronica Paz. “I love the trees now because before there weren’t any trees.”
The redesign also includes areas like the community zone on the east side of Fondren Library, where pergolas and long tables encourage spontaneous gatherings.
“I think it's a very modern look and invites people in,” said senior Arayna Mickles. “We have benches everywhere. It's going to make me want to sit down and actually talk to new people.”
The central plaza, repurposed from the Founder’s Memorial, is now engraved with a quotation from John F. Kennedy’s iconic “We choose to go to the Moon” speech. The space is designed for speeches, performances, protests and debates, making it a focal point for community engagement.
“When Dean Gorman first introduced the quad design to us, she mentioned how she wanted the quad to be a destination rather than a means to get to a destination,” Kim said. “I think I really see that with people socializing here and studying here.”
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