“Art” is a small word with a large, multifaceted definition far exceeding its character length. While many people may define art as that which is on display at a local gallery, art can actually be found, in one way or another, across just about any discipline imaginable. It makes sense, then, that Rice University’s new Moody Center for the Arts is conceived as a multi-disciplinary lab that will contain “an experimental platform for creating and presenting works in all disciplines,” ArchDaily reports.
The 50,000-sf building will be located in the new arts district of the campus along with the Shepherd School of Music and James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace. The structure will be composed of an art gallery space, a 150-seat black box theater, an experimental performance space, and a café. A natural-light-filled atrium, which contains a maker lab and immediate access to a wood shop, metal shop, paint booth, rapid prototyping areas, classrooms, a technology library, and AV editing booths, is envisioned as an interior campus quad.
The building’s exterior will feature a brick-clad upper story with cantilevers that create covered walkways below. The floor-to-ceiling glass-encased entry level will provide a strong juxtaposition to the second level’s brick exterior.
A new artist-in-residence program will also be housed in the Moody, with Mona Hatoum set to be the first resident beginning in spring 2017, just a few months after the building is scheduled to open to the public on February 24, 2017.
Currently under construction, the Moody is funded by a $20 million grant from the Moody Foundation, a charitable organization with an emphasis on education, social services, children’s needs and community development. Among others, the Brown Foundation is also providing funding.
Rendering courtesy of Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc. via ArchDaily
Rendering courtesy of Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc. via ArchDaily
Photo courtesy of Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc. via ArchDaily
Rendering courtesy of Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc. via ArchDaily
Related Stories
University Buildings | Apr 18, 2022
SmithGroup to design new Univ. of Colorado Denver engineering, design, computing building
The University of Colorado Denver selected SmithGroup to design a new engineering, design, and computing building that will serve as anchor of new downtown innovation district.
Projects | Apr 1, 2022
University complex encourages exchange between academics and residents
In the small Danish city of Horsens, C.F. Møller Architects has created a university complex that unites higher education with urban life—creating synergies among students, staff, businesses, and residents
Energy-Efficient Design | Mar 25, 2022
University of Pittsburgh Releases ‘Pitt Climate Action Plan’
The University of Pittsburgh has released the Pitt Climate Action Plan, detailing how the University will achieve its goal to go carbon neutral by 2037 through investments in clean energy, transportation, efficiency and other areas.
Higher Education | Mar 24, 2022
Higher education sector sees 19 percent reduction in facilities investments
Colleges and universities face a growing backlog of capital needs and funding shortfalls, according to Gordian’s 2022 State of Facilities in Higher Education report.
Projects | Mar 16, 2022
Tomorrow’s STEM leaders get a state-of-the-art research complex
In February, North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University (NC A&T) opened its new Engineering Research & Innovation Complex (ERIC).
University Buildings | Mar 7, 2022
A new facility can offer thousands of equine therapy sessions a year
At its new Spur campus in Denver, Colorado State University (CSU) will bring its expertise to the public by offering free educational experiences to visitors of all ages. Spur’s three buildings—Hydro, Terra, and Vida—will focus, respectively, on water, earth, and life.
University Buildings | Mar 4, 2022
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee celebrates new chemistry building with groundbreaking
The building will serve as a gateway for all STEM and health science related majors, housing the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Higher Education | Mar 1, 2022
SRG Partnership designs a nautically inspired space for maritime science
A community college in Oregon has begun construction on a new building devoted to maritime science. With it, the school hopes to solidify its position as a major industrial and marine technology center in the Pacific Northwest.
Education Facilities | Feb 24, 2022
New ASU science and tech building features innovative sustainability elements
Arizona State University’s Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 7, completed in December 2021, was constructed with numerous innovative sustainability elements.
University Buildings | Feb 18, 2022
On-campus performing arts centers and museums can be talent magnets for universities
Cultural facilities are changing the way prospective students and parents view higher education campuses.
