Sarofim Hall construction to begin

By Viola Hsia     9/10/24 11:02pm

Sarofim Hall, the new home of Rice’s art department, is set to be completed next summer, according to university architect George Ristow. Construction of the building enclosure will begin soon, and construction teams are currently laying structural steel, said Ristow.

John Sparagana, chair of the art department, said that construction is still on schedule. 

“I think they’re ahead [with getting] permits for the city, which can delay things,” Sparagana said in an interview to the Thresher. “We did a walk through with the Dean of Humanities [Kathleen Canning] and the development director a couple of days ago, and it’s phenomenal to actually see it becoming a physical reality.”

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According to Miles Nelligan, the project director from the building’s architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, talking with the art departments’ faculty about the building and its features – including a large outdoor porch for students to work – has benefitted to the process.

“The faculty have been amazing, very supportive, and it’s been great to talk intensively about what they need and how it can produce an amazing space,” Nelligan said in an interview with the Thresher.

Canning said that she recently did a walkthrough of the site and that she’s looking forward to art students having a centralized space to conduct their studies.

“I am looking forward to the invitation the building will extend to our students to experience the arts and engage in art-making in an exciting new space,” Canning wrote in an email to the Thresher. “The Sarofim building will be a work palace for the art students and faculty that will foster new collaborations that have not been possible across two different buildings for the various forms of art teaching.”

According to President Reggie DesRoches, the construction of Sarofim Hall shows Rice’s commitment to the arts and culture at Rice.

“Sarofim Hall is a critical piece of the vibrant arts corridor on the west side of campus,” DesRoches wrote. “Its presence will enrich our campus by providing a dynamic, state-of-the-art space where creativity thrives and where students, faculty and the broader community can engage with the transformative power of the arts. This building is a testament to our dedication to fostering an environment where artistic expression and cultural exploration are celebrated and elevated.”

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