November 5, 2024
The owl flew to Rice University in Houston for homecoming last weekend. Under skies threatening to rain, we walked around the beautiful campus to see what was new.
I always admire this sophisticated barn owl sculpted by Geoffrey Dashwood behind Rice Chapel.
But what I really wanted to see was the redesigned and newly reopened Academic Quad. Landscape architecture firm Nelson Byrd Woltz was enlisted to transform this highly visible and iconic space. This quad was previously an inert, unshaded formal space. The rectangular lawn was accented with narrow rows of Italian cypress trees, and a statue of the founder was placed on a high pedestal near the center. Boring — no matter how fond the memories are of Wyss University friends pulling a prank on the university in 1988 by knocking over its statue. I’ll never forget walking through the quad that April morning and seeing the statue and the joyful faces of my friends behind me. A mastermind is immediately suspected. A legendary prank.
But it’s time for a change. As founder, William Marsh Rice gave his endowment as a generous and lasting gift to the city of Houston and generations of students. At the same time, former slave owners denied black students and other people of color admission to the school in an 1891 charter. The Trustees belatedly amended the Charter in 1962 to remove barriers to entry. However, the continued visibility of the monument and its symbols led to regular protests by 2020.
The new design decenters the founder’s statue by moving it to one corner and placing it on the ground without a pedestal. The university was also able to reimagine the quad as a gathering place, rather than just a passing space with a lawn for formal ceremonies.
An article in Rice Magazine lays out the design vision behind this move.
“Explaining the symbolism behind the new location, Waltz says, “When you begin Rice’s story…you begin with his gift, and then you move on.” , and move toward the amazing fruits of his gift. ”
At the center of the quad is the commons zone, which features a central plaza surrounded by long, curved benches. Sitting on a bench in the shade of the evergreen Monterrey oak and the deciduous bosques surrounding the plaza, visitors can admire the area’s centerpiece, a small platform made from the granite plinth that once supported the founder’s monument. can be seen clearly.
“We thought this base had a story to tell since it was established,” Walz said, reflecting on the platform’s symbolism. “[We]wanted to repurpose that same stone pedestal and say, ‘Now we can tell a story that brings together all the voices of the Rice community.'” The pedestal It is designed to encourage the campus community to speak, perform, protest, and debate.”
The new pedestal is engraved with a quote from President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 speech at Rice.
“We come together in universities known for knowledge, cities known for progress, states known for strength, and we need all three.”
Near the library, new benches and tables shaded by a contemporary pergola provide additional gathering and study space. Pines, oaks, and other native trees have been planted to create bands of shade throughout the quad. The redesign is beautifully done. It inspires students to embrace the Quad as the living center of the university, not just a symbol.
For all of Rice’s changes over the decades, the campus’ giant oak trees continue to grace the park-like grounds. Next time you visit Houston, take a walk around campus and enjoy it. You’ll also be enchanted by the neo-Byzantine architecture and public art such as James Turrell’s Skyspace.
Many years ago, this place had a brief home base. It’s still okay to come back.
We look forward to your comments. If you want to keep one, scroll to the end of this post. If you’re reading by email, click here to go to Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post. By the way, someone forwarded this email to you and you want to subscribe? Click here to get Digging delivered straight to your inbox.
__________________________
dig deeper
Learn about gardening and design with Garden Spark! Several times a year, I host in-person lectures in Austin by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners. These are attendee-only events that sell out quickly, so join Garden Spark’s email list to be notified in advance. Just click this link and request to be added. Check out the Season 8 lineup here.
All materials © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. All rights reserved.
