Sarofim Hall on track for August 2025 opening

By Viola Hsia and Aisha Khemani     1/14/25 10:56pm

The construction of Sarofim Hall, the art department’s new building, remains on schedule for an expected opening in August 2025. The project is moving forward as planned while construction crews continue to work at the site, said John Sparagana, art department chair.

“They’ve really been cranking away,” Sparanga said. 

According to Sparagana, no major changes have been made to the building’s design. 

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“There’s been some fine-tuning, but it’s the same structure. All the spaces are the same [as planned],” Sparagana said.

Construction first began in fall 2024, as the structural steel for the building was laid down. According to Matt Hester, the senior associate director of capital construction, the steel frame for the structure was completed in November.

“The steel structure for Sarofim Hall ‘topped out’ in November and work has continued on schedule with exterior façade and interiors,” Hester wrote in an email to the Thresher. “The project remains on track to be complete and moved in to accommodate August 2025 classes.”

Sarofim Hall — set to be an 80,000 square foot facility, with spaces geared to learning and presenting art — will be the new home for the art major and the Rice Cinema. 

Designed by architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Sarofim Hall being constructed where Rice’s Art Barn and Media Center once stood, next to the Moody Center for the Arts. 

“We’re really excited,” Sparagana said. “For anybody who’s seen the steel structure going up, it looks like an awesome building.”

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