The creation of the built environment accounts for 8 percent of the total US GDP and touches every aspect of our economy, both national and local. The modern building process has become so complex that needed improvements and innovations lag far behind the growing challenges. Clearly, innovative approaches will be required to reintegrate what has become a fragmented process. This won't happen without broad industry-wide involvement of leaders representing all dimensions of this multifaceted machine.
The Rice Building Institute, a university/industry partnership, will provide the requisite forum in which this interdisciplinary search for innovation can come to life.
Rice University has a distinguished track record in establishing and operating interdisciplinary collaborations in teaching and research. The university currently is home to more than 40 research centers, institutes, and consortia.