Rice University

This book is good in learning about the gorgeous architecture in this school. What is also unique about this top college is that unlike the other campus guides, Rice is not SO OLD compared to Harvard. The Cons about this book are that the architects/historians seem to only care about how the buildings were made, design, and things like that, rather than seeing how these buildings create a wonderful, diverse, safe, learning environment and the buildings' uses of faculty, staff, and students. I am planning on attending Rice to get my bachelor's and Master's degree in architecture, then when I become an architect I'll show all these architects how to make a great book.

This is a very well done book on one of the most beautiful college campuses in America. The architecture is spectacular, architect Cram created a style for Rice, it was unique to Rice, it is an amalgamation of Byzantine and Venician styles and it suits the Houston climate perfectly. Through the years subsequent architects have created their own interpretation of Cram's architecture, for the most part it has worked. Though the lamented Fondren Library terminates the axis and is an unwelcome intrusion, but it is soon to be completly rebuilt so hopefully it will better suit Cram's buildings on the main quad. The setting of the university is breathtaking, I recommend anyone visiting Houston to take time to stroll the campus, it is symply stunning. Stephen Fox is one of the foremost authorities on Houston architecture, so it is quite fitting that he authored this book. High recommended, beautiful campus and architecture, the crown jewel of Texas higher education and that comes from a die hard Texas Ex.

Sadly, it is the previous reviewer who chooses to 'politicize' this gracefully-written and intricately detailed volume (based on perhaps 2-3% of the volume's commentary) --- and ultimately balanced overview of the stages of Rice's planning and growth. Contrary to what has been claimed, Fox is quite admiring of the work of Cram and other traditionalist' architects who have contributed to the physical fabric of Rice --- and provides a readable and interesting framework for this discussion of intertwining of history, planning and aesthetics. The photography fully compliments the writing.