Rice University Breaks Ground on Moody Center Complex for Student Life

Rice University broke ground in May of 2025 on the Moody Center Complex for Student Life (MCCSL) in Houston. Providing a flexible framework of public and private settings, the 75,000-sf facility is poised to become the cornerstone of student activity on campus. The project is strategically sited on the south side of the Central Quadrangle and will catalyze synergies with the Rice Memorial Center and Ley Student Center, which will be renovated upon completion of the new building. Furthering the university's ambitious enrollment targets, the cohesive complex will enhance the experience of both undergraduates and graduates through connection and engagement. 

Designed by Olson Kundig and Page, the biophilic structure will serve the needs of a diverse and growing student population with interwoven zones for learning and gathering. An open lobby on the ground floor will foster interaction and exchange, accompanied by a range of study spaces, a café, and a student-run coffeehouse. Opening directly onto the quad, The Brown Foundation Pavilion will create unique opportunities for indoor and outdoor events such as performances, lectures, and multicultural celebrations. The upper levels will house meeting rooms, offices for student services, and additional classrooms.

Aiming for LEED Gold sustainable design certification, the resilient facility will be elevated on a five-foot plinth to mitigate flood risk. Extensive glazing will be balanced by a sophisticated shading system to improve energy performance while maximizing occupant comfort. Turner Construction is acting as general contractor and occupancy is expected in fall of 2027. Other team members include Walter P Moore, Stanton Engineering, Jaffe Holden, Lux Populi, Ricca Design Studios, and OJB Landscape Architecture.

The Moody Center Complex for Student Life is supported by $115 million in philanthropic funding.