Brochstein Pavilion opens April 26

Brochstein Pavilion opens April 26
Students, faculty and staff get a sneak peek April 25

BY JENNIFER EVANS
Rice News staff

The smell of coffee and the sound of conversation will characterize the heart of campus next week when the Raymond and Susan Brochstein Pavilion comes to life.

Located in the Central Quadrangle behind Fondren Library, the pavilion will officially open its doors at 8 a.m. April 26, but members of the Rice community are invited to take a sneak peek at the new space during a celebration April 25 from 2 to 5 p.m. Students, faculty and staff can enjoy free ice cream and sorbet from Oscar’s Ice Cream and free coffee drinks provided by Dirk’s Coffee.

COURTESY RENDERING

“We expect that the Brochstein Pavilion will quickly become one of the most important places on campus to come together for conversation and companionship,” President David Leebron said. “The pavilion is located at the crossroads of our campus, and I have no doubt that it will be a magnet for students, faculty, staff and visitors. I look forward to gatherings at the pavilion and in the surrounding Central Quadrangle as we begin to populate and popularize this beautiful, central spot on campus.”

Designed by architect Thomas Phifer, the 6,000-square-foot building features natural lighting from light scoops, plasma screens, couches and chairs, all surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on a 10,700-square-foot wraparound plaza. This exterior seating area is covered by a trellis designed to filter light, as live oaks do along Rice walkways, and is encompassed by an elm grove, fountains, live oaks, new sidewalks and a freshly sodded Central Quad.

A formal dedication ceremony April 24 will commemorate the building’s completion and the contributions to Rice University by alumnus and former Rice Board of Trustee Raymond Brochstein and his wife, Susan, whose generous gift made the pavilion possible.

In conjunction with the pavilion, a committee of faculty, staff and students will oversee the scheduling of programming in the vicinity of the Central Quad, including concerts, theatrical performances and exhibits.

In addition to Diedrich’s brand coffees and other beverages, the pavilion menu will include sandwiches, salads, snacks and desserts. Dirk’s Coffee will provide the food and beverage service.

During its first week of operation, which is also finals week, Brochstein Pavilion will be open 24 hours a day to give students, faculty and staff access to “Broch around the clock.” The nonstop operation begins at 9 a.m. April 27 and continues through midnight May 2. Beginning May 3, the pavilion will operate under its summer schedule, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For commencement, May 10, the pavilion will be open from 7 a.m. to midnight.

For more information about Brochstein Pavilion and upcoming events, visit
http://food.rice.edu/index.php?topgroupid=1&subgroupid=91&groupid=5.