Regrounding, Reimagining, Reconnecting
NBW’s work at Rice University is anchored by the transformation of the iconic four-acre Academic Quadrangle, one of the most historic and symbolically important spaces on campus. Completed in 2024, the reimagined Quad balances ecological performance, accessibility, and inclusive storytelling, creating a dynamic landscape for ceremony, everyday use, and reflection.
Unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 12, 2024, the reimagined Academic Quad now serves as a dynamic and inclusive space that honors the university's history while embracing its evolving identity.
The redesigned Quad features a new path system that aligns with student desire lines, seamlessly connecting the southwest and northeast corners of the Quad and enhancing navigation and accessibility. A central gathering area has been introduced to facilitate performances, civic dialogue, and informal gatherings, reinforcing the Quad’s role as both a cultural and social heart of campus.
In a thoughtful recontextualization, the founder’s statue has been relocated from its original nine-foot-high pedestal to ground level, allowing it to be viewed and engaged with at a human scale. The statue's former base has been rededicated as a communal area, reclaiming its original intent as a space for gathering and conversation.
The landscape now features expansive shade tree plantings, including Monterey oaks and bald cypress, to enhance comfort and improve the microclimate. Approximately one acre of native perennials and shrubs, such as pink autumn sage and sideoats grama, create a vibrant and ecologically resilient groundplane. These enhancements embody Rice University's dedication to creating an inviting, accessible, and environmentally conscious Academic Quadrangle that serves the diverse needs of its community.
In addition to the Quad, NBW is leading a campus-wide pathway accessibility and replacement strategy to enhance circulation and ease of movement across campus, terrace design and landscape improvements associated with the expansion of McNair Hall, and the landscape design for the Rice Jones School Expansion, currently in development.
