In the heart of Houston lies historic Rice University, an academic institution that is highly revered not only in the state of Texas, but worldwide. In partnership with prestigious architecture firm Nelson Byrd Woltz, we took on the challenge of completely renovating the university’s four-acre Academic Quad, turning the space into a vibrant, modern centerpiece for campus life.
Last updated in the late ‘60s, the goal of the Quad reno was to modernize it to serve both current and future generations of students. Our role? To lead all construction efforts on site, addressing everything from landscape and hardscape demolition, new drainage, irrigation, electrical and underground utilities, decorative paving, and custom furnishings. In addition to general contracting, we also acted as a consultant to both the Nelson Byrd Woltz and Rice University teams.
The project officially kicked off in late 2023. Every inch of the new Quad design was thought through with student life in mind; walking paths were rerouted to follow a natural flow through the space, and seating space was added to encourage social gatherings. In total, we installed 119 mature trees, representing five varieties, chosen to harmonize with Rice’s historical feel. As a fresh twist, we opted for Emerald Zoysia grass, a soft, golf-course quality turf that stands out from the standard Bermuda or St. Augustine one would typically find in Houston landscapes. Around 28,000 plants were placed to give the Quad lush greenery year-round.
For seating, new benches from Vestre, a sustainable furniture company in Norway, were installed to add a level of sophistication to the space. Two elegant, custom-built pergolas by Renfrow+Co, featuring ultra-squared corners, add much needed shade and character. Bomanite, a local concrete installer, provided the decorative concrete with colored aggregate is another highlight of the project. When sandblasted, glimpses of the unique aggregate used in the concrete are revealed, a subtle, but striking detail that adds texture to the new walkways.
This project came with its share of unexpected twists. When renovations began, a statue of founder William Rice, sat at the Quad’s center. Its pedestal held his ashes, which had to be exhumed, in a delicate, high-stakes process to carefully relocate them. On top of that, frequent design updates kept us on our toes, often requiring real-time adjustments to our work. Locating site utilities with limited data presented many challenges but was navigated with caution! As a solution, we “pothole dug” by hand in certain areas, ensuring we didn’t damage any unknown infrastructure.
Our team stayed adaptable through every change, even during tight timelines and adverse weather. With client approval, we pushed through rain, extended hours, legendary Houston heat and early mornings to meet project goals.
Now, the Rice Quad is on its way to completion, with most of the major elements installed. Students and faculty can already enjoy the new paths, shady spots, and reimagined space. By the summer of 2025, final touches will be in place, marking the official start of a new era for this beloved campus spot.
