Welcome (Rice Building Institute)

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
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.

Rice University Building Institute (RBI)
The RBI simply applies the University's existing skill sets to the critical issues facing those industries responsible for designing, construction and managing the built environment.

RBI Functions:
The institute has four operational centers:

Research                    Define new insights
Executive Education     Improve performance
Publishing                   Disseminate the latest findings
Symposia                   Host interactive exploration

RBI Stakeholders:
The Institute's stakeholders are integral participants to the commercial construction process.

Owner / User Groups
The corporations that own and use large real estate portfolios

AEC Industry
Architectural profession /Engineering profession / Construction industry

Building Materials Manufacturers
Those who develop and supply high-quality, reliable building materials and innovative products that provide important building solutions

Financial Industry
Those who finance and insure the building development process

Professional Advisors
RE Brokers and Consultants / RE Attorneys / RE Accountants

Developers
Investment builders and Merchant builders

Regulators
City / Country / State / Federal