McMurtry + Duncan Residential Colleges

The evolution of the residential college system at Rice University has been fundamental to the undergraduate experience. A strategic vision articulated in 2006 emphasized the unique role these colleges play, setting an ambitious goal to accommodate 80 percent of students on campus. This initiative led to the development of McMurtry and Duncan Colleges on the North Campus, transforming a former parking lot into a vibrant community hub. The complex, consisting of seven buildings, surrounds primary and secondary quads, incorporating student and faculty residences, central commons areas, and shared dining facilities. Similarly, on South Campus, the historic Baker and Will Rice colleges underwent thoughtful expansions, including the Baker Servery renovation and the introduction of a new East Servery, to accommodate the growing student body.

The design both respects and enriches the campus's architectural mosaic, drawing inspiration from the original Italian Romanesque style, adapted for the Texas coastal plain. This sensitivity extends to material and scale, with exteriors chosen for their understated elegance, contrasting the more vibrant interiors. Connectivity is a key feature, achieved through covered walkways and perimeter shading, with the uppermost floor of each building recessed to align with neighboring structures, accommodating terraces and gardens alongside a green roof over the shared McMurtry-Duncan servery.