Imagine a geode. That’s Robert B. Rowling Hall in a nutshell. On the outside it’s elegant limestone. This matches the historic campus buildings. Inside it’s all glass. This maximizes transparency. It promotes community. This is the McCombs School of Business’ graduate hub.
Robert B. Rowling Hall embodies business ideals. These are invention innovation and human interaction. It encourages collaboration and problem-solving. Dean Thomas Gilligan says it reflects the highest ideals for business education.
Let’s step inside Robert B. Rowling Hall. Notice the central public entry plaza. It creates a dramatic arrival. It extends the campus’s green spaces. This five-story arrival space showcases the business school’s activities. It acts as the building’s social center. All levels connect here. Cascading outdoor terraces enhance the McCombs community’s visibility.
Robert B. Rowling Hall combines classrooms and gathering spaces. These support traditional and progressive teaching. It serves McCombs’ overlapping communities. These include students faculty staff and visitors. Alumni recruiters and business leaders all use it.
Robert B. Rowling Hall officially broke ground November 7th 2015. Construction finished in early 2018. The building provides a launchpad. It is for projects between students alumni and the Austin community.
Mackswell Dickson an MBA student named the cafe. He won a one-year tuition scholarship for his entry. The cafe is called the Moontower Cafe. Donor Robert B. Rowling attended the announcement.
Robert Rowling his wife Terry and their family pledged 25 million dollars. This funded the construction of Robert B. Rowling Hall. It is a 458000 square foot graduate business building.
The McCombs School of Business has a rich history. It was established in 1922. It’s the oldest public business school in Texas. In 2000 Red McCombs donated 50 million dollars. The school was then named after him.
Ennead Architects designed Robert B. Rowling Hall in collaboration with Jacobs. The building has five above ground floors. It also has six below ground floors for parking.
Robert B. Rowling Hall stands as a testament. It highlights the University of Texas’ commitment to business education. It is a place for future leaders to connect. Here they exchange ideas and shape the future.