The RUCAA Alumni Weekend 2025 tour of the newly opened Sarofim Hall gave alumni and current students an inspiring look at Rice’s cutting-edge 94,000-square-foot home for the visual arts and was designed by Rice Architecture alumnus Charles Renfro of Diller Scofidio + Renfro. RUCAA members explored the building’s striking intersecting glass walls, light-filled studios, flexible performance lab, and the 215-seat cinema that now anchors film and media arts on campus. School of Humanities’ Emily Stein highlighted the building’s indoor-outdoor workyards, industrial studio doors, and LEED Gold sustainability features, all of which reflect Rice’s commitment to creativity, collaboration, and innovation. After the tour, RUCAA members gathered for a breakfast meetup where alumni and current students connected across class years, shared memories and career updates, and reflected on how the new arts facilities will shape student experiences moving forward. The meetup was especially significant because it reinforced RUCAA’s mission of community and mentorship and offered space for intergenerational conversations, cultural connection, and meaningful relationship-building. Thank you to all alumni and students who attended.
November 17, 2025
