The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business, Robert B. Rowling Hall
The design is the physical embodiment of the highest ideals for business and business education – invention, innovation, and human interaction through collaborative engagement and problem-solving. A metaphorical geode, the building design juxtaposes an elegant limestone outer perimeter, which directly references the venerable buildings of the historic campus, with a faceted, glassy inner perimeter that maximizes transparency, accessibility, and visibility to reinforce community. Rowling Hall will serve as a hub for graduate students to meet with peers, faculty, recruiters, and members of the business community to openly exchange ideas, network, and work in teams, just as they will in the business world. Dean Thomas Gilligan
A central, public entry plaza establishes the building as a destination creates a dramatic sense of arrival and continues the rich network of green spaces that characterizes the campus. The five-story arrival space showcases business school activities and forms the building’s social center. All levels link directly to this gathering space, while also connecting to a cascading array of outdoor terraces that enhance the visibility of the McCombs academic community. Combining classrooms and gathering spaces that flexibly support traditional and progressive teaching methods, the building serves McCombs’ network of overlapping communities: students from all programs, faculty, staff, and visitors, including alumni, recruiters, interdisciplinary collaborators, and business leaders.
Project Info
Architects: Ennead Architects
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 458,000 GSF
Design Partner: Todd Schliemann
Management Partner: Kevin McClurkan
Project Designer: Alex O’Briant
Project Manager: Emily Kirkland
Design Team: Amina Blacksher, Margarita Calero, Edward Christian, Aleks Dawson, Hiroko Nakatani, Jörg Kiesow, Charmian Place, Tatsuya Sakairi, Melanie Weismiller, Joanna Williams, Ann Wright
Architect-of-Record: Jacobs
Structural: Datum Engineers
Electrical: Yaggi Engineering
Civil: Jose I. Guerra, Inc. Consulting Engineers
Landscape: Coleman & Associates
Lighting: Pivotal Lighting Design
Year: 2017
Type: Educational
