Groundbreaking new facilities elevate architectural education, research, and public engagement at Rice University
The Rice School of Architecture is proud to announce the opening of the William T. Cannady Hall for Architecture and a strategic renovation of MD Anderson Hall. Together, they form a sustainable and cohesive “campus within a campus,” positioned at the southwest corner of Rice University’s historic academic quadrangle. The expansion reinforces the school’s mission to advance architectural discourse, foster planetary engagement, and build community through architecture.
A New Era of Architectural Innovation
Cannady Hall, a new 22,000-square-foot facility, is the first U.S. project designed by the renowned Swiss architectural firm Karamuk Kuo. The hall serves as a dynamic space for fabrication, research, and exhibitions, combining sustainable design principles—including designing for adaptability and disassembly—with cutting-edge facilities. Its striking terra-cotta facade complements Rice University’s brick campus while conveying progressive architectural thinking.
“We are thrilled to unveil Cannady Hall as the next step in our school’s evolution,” said Igor Marjanović, William Ward Watkin Dean of the Rice School of Architecture. “This building is more than a space—it is a catalyst for innovation. With its new public gallery and spaces for research and debate, it embodies our commitment to planetary engagement, building community, and advancing architectural discourse.”
The building is named after Professor Emeritus William T. Cannady, a beloved member of the Rice School of Architecture community whose educational legacy includes more than fifty years of teaching. Not only does the building bear his name, but Professor Cannady also played a pivotal role in making it possible through a lead gift. “Cannady Hall,” he said, “stands as a reflection of the innovative spirit at the heart of Rice. It will be a place where ideas for the future are imagined and explored—a space that will empower generations of architects to leave their mark on society.”
Recentering MD Anderson Hall
Adjacent to Cannady Hall is the newly renovated MD Anderson Hall, originally designed in 1947 by Staub & Rather and expanded in 1981 by renowned British architects James Stirling and Michael Willford, –their first building in the United States. The renovation, led by Kwong Von Glinow, a Chicago-based design firm, honors the historical significance of the building while modernizing its function. Key updates include a new welcome center, a student and community forum, and a faculty and staff lounge, all designed to foster collaboration, interaction, and a sense of community within the school.
“The renovation of MD Anderson Hall is about breathing new life into a historic structure while recentering it as the heart of our school,” said Alison Von Glinow and Lap Chi Kwong, principals at Kwong Von Glinow. “Our goal was to create spaces that encourage dialogue and collaboration, not just within the school but with the broader Rice community and beyond.”
Design Features and Sustainability
Both Cannady Hall and the MD Anderson Hall renovation emphasize sustainable design. Cannady Hall features recyclable materials, a bolted (not welded) steel frame for future disassembly, and energy-efficient north-facing clerestory windows that reduce heat gain while providing natural light. These sustainability strategies align with Rice’s broader commitment to advancing environmental responsibility in architecture.
Meanwhile, the renovation of MD Anderson Hall introduces modern gathering spaces, improves accessibility, and, with an updated entrance and welcome center, invites the engagement of the entire Rice University campus. These changes ensure the building remains a dynamic gathering place for architectural education and community engagement.
A Hub for Architectural Exploration
The expanded facilities are designed to support the school’s evolving curriculum, providing state-of-the-art spaces for researching, making, and exhibiting architecture. The new Brochstein Fabrication Lab in Cannady Hall includes double-height spaces to enable large-form mock-ups and models and encourages interaction by leaving student workspaces visible. The school’s new curatorial program, Exhibitions at Rice, will be housed in the Casbarian-Appel Gallery and Hines Family Gallery, new exhibition spaces on the first and second floors that offer a unique platform for public engagement.
“We wanted the spaces to be as dynamic as the work that will take place here,” said Jeannette Kuo, cofounder of Karamuk Kuo. “By embracing both the legacy of the site and a forward-looking approach, Cannady Hall is a building that will support the school’s ambitions for years to come.”
Key Spaces and Features
- Cannady Hall: 22,000 square feet of fabrication space, research ateliers, and exhibition galleries.
- MD Anderson Hall Renovation: Includes a new welcome center, student forum, faculty and staff lounge, and enhanced accessibility features.
- Sustainability: Self-cleaning glazed terracotta facade, displacement ventilation, building systems exposed for ease of maintenance, and a structure designed for disassembly and adaptability over time.
- Accessibility: Improved connectivity to the Rice campus and Houston community through new entrance features such as ramps, openings, and exhibition and gathering spaces.
About the Rice School of Architecture
The Rice School of Architecture is an international center of design research, experimentation, and debate that engages and reconstructs our world in the most imaginative and holistic ways. Thirty-four faculty and twelve staff offer our 131 undergraduate and sixty-two graduate students a personalized learning experience. We educate the next generation of architects to stand at the forefront of our discipline and to embody the dual role of public intellectual and agile practitioner as they design for a world in flux.
For further inquiries, contact:
Leah Ray, Consulting Communications Director
Rice School of Architecture
leahray@rice.edu
+1 312.498.2591