Page 51 - Briefcase Volume 38 Number 1

Construction of the much anticipated new Law Center Center community and was conveyed to the architects
building will commence this Fall notwithstanding the as the top objectives.
absence of an auspicious, ceremonial groundbreaking
envisioned for decades. The original Spring ceremonial A two-story glass lobby will include a reception desk,
groundbreaking — complete with speeches and silver access to a large event space, moot courtroom, and a broad
shovels — was postponed due to the Pandemic resulting staircase leading to second floor classrooms, a student
in the campus shutdown and the requirements of social lounge and convenience store. Sitting areas for studying
distancing. The $90 million John M. O’Quinn Law Building and socializing will be located throughout the building and
will rise nonetheless on the former student parking lot 19B a coffee bar on the third floor will lead to outdoor terrace
between the current Law Center building complex and with views of the campus and downtown Houston. Faculty
University Lofts. offices will extend over two floors while the law library
will occupy the three top floors with stacks, various types
As described by the architectural team from Shepley of seating areas, group study rooms and a reading room
Bulfinch, the five-story, cantilevered structure with its glass on the top floor. There also will be rooms and spaces for
and metallic main entrance and limestone base will face the IT services, journals, student organizations, the Blakely
campus and Houston skyline and serve as a striking icon Advocacy Institute, Career Development, Student Services,
reflecting the Law Center’s exceptional legal education. Graduate and Global Programs, Admissions and Law
The building was designed to meet the personal and Center Leadership.
educational needs of both faculty and students, but also to
provide the versatility and utility needed to serve alumni, The building has been touted as “state-of-the-art,” which
the community, judiciary, members of the bar, and other has taken on greater significance with current reliance on
professionals fulfilling its name as a true Law Center. remote teaching, online interviews and virtual visits some
of which will no doubt continue and expand into the future.
“After many decades of trying to build a new building, I am Classrooms will be equipped to allow the Law Center
delighted that it is happening and will open in the next two building to be a portal to the world and for faculty to be able
years,” said Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “It was a collective to share content remotely as well as within the building.
effort to make this happen. Extra special thanks go to the Large event and teaching spaces will allow for simulcasting
excellent leadership from UH administration. President events throughout the building as well as locations beyond
Khator made the new Law Center building a key priority the campus. A dedicated active learning classroom will
for the University legislative appropriation. Eloise Brice allow students to collaborate digitally and physically and
developed the key components of the fundraising plan provide a space for faculty to experiment with new and
with specific and measurable goals, and Provost Short for emerging teaching methods. A media production studio will
her unyielding support of the Law Center. Many thanks enable the Law Center to reach out to various communities,
to Bill Jackson, UH Law Alumnus and Chair of the Law including alumni, future students, the city and beyond.
Foundation’s Building Committee through his dedication,
superb leadership and vision in getting the alumni excited Altogether the 179,000-square foot structure includes a
about the building.” dividable, tiered lecture space, typically two classrooms,
that can be converted into a large courtroom, two large
“To all our alumni who stepped up and made a significant classrooms, four medium classrooms, and many other
investment in the future of the Law Center. You made the classrooms of various shapes, sizes and functions. The lobby
dream happen. Lastly, to an amazing UH Law Center senior in conjunction with the adjacent event room, the third-floor
staff for their incredible hard work and dedication through terrace, and the top floor reading room can accommodate
the many years in seeing this project through to completion: various sized special events.
Associate Dean Greg Vetter, Associate Dean Sondra
Tennessee, Assistant Dean Carrie Criado, Senior Director “I could not have been any happier with the result,” said
of Development Magda Herrera, Executive Director Hope Bill Jackson ’92, the Law Center’s Building campaign chair.
Young, Executive Director MyBao Nguyen, and outstanding “The involvement of the Foundation Board and the alumni
dean’s office staff: Luana Gearing and Michelle Spencer. was terrific. President Khator, who has been amazing for
Also many thanks to the Law Center New Building the school broadly, put in a tremendous effort. The UH
Committee: Professors Johnny Rex Buckles, Barbara Evans, Development team, led by Eloise Dunn Brice and Magda
Blake Hudson and Amanda Watson for their perseverance Herrera, was great throughout.”
and dedication.” “The new building is going to transform the law school,
After 50 years in the bunker-like environment of the and it will benefit the city. Everybody that engaged in the
current facility, natural light, open spaces, soothing colors project just felt like it was such a worthy cause, such a good
and outside views were the paramount vision of the Law thing to do for the school and for the city.”

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